On Monday, a cargo ship sailing under the Liberian flag was targeted by Houthi militants in the Red Sea. Reports indicate two individuals were injured and another two disappeared following the offensive. This incident followed another militant strike just a day prior, where the Yemen-located Houthi militants staked claim to the sinking of a separate sea vessel.
The ship under fire, the Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C, was in the strategically pivotal seaward path when the assault took place. This incident ensued following an attack on another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned vessel – the Magic Seas. The militant group deployed a combination of drones, missiles, grenade launchers, and small arms, compelling a 22-person crew to evacuate from the ship.
These back-to-back offensives along with concurrently unfolding Israeli air raids on the rebel faction have exacerbated concerns around a rekindled Houthi campaign targeted against maritime vessels. Such escalations would likely pull in American and Western military forces again.
The timing of these offenses intertwines with an already tense juncture in the Middle East. Balancing on a knife’s edge is the potential ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, while concurrently Iran reflects on the reprising dialogue over its nuclear program.
The European Union anti-piracy patrol, known as Operation Atalanta, and private security firm Ambrey announced the latest attack. According to their reports, the Eternity C was navigating north towards the Suez Canal when it faced an onslaught by small boat-riding assailants and drones armed with bombs. The ship’s security personnel fought back against the strikes, discharging their own weapons.
As per the details provided by Operation Atalanta, the crew aboard the Eternity C consisted of 21 Filipinos, a Russian, and a trio of security staff. The ship, the reports stated, hadn’t sought the provision of an escort. Subsequently, it was disclosed by the E.U. force that the Houthi rebels were behind the attack on the vessel.
The Houthi group reigns over Yemen’s northern territory, including its capital, Sanaa. Notably, the offensive on the Eternity C, as per the statement by the EU force, occurred within proximity to the area where the Magic Seas was attacked a day ago. Approximately 60 miles southwest from Hodeida, a port in Yemen under Houthi control, is where both these incidents transpired.
The Magic Seas faced a prelude of gunfire and missile attack to which the onboard security team retaliated. However, the vessel was later hit by projectiles. Statistics from Operation Atalanta state that the ship was manned by a team of 22 sailors.
The attack on the Magic Seas was publicly claimed by the Houthis’ military representative, Brigadier General Yahya Saree. Following the offensive, Saree declared the sinking of the vessel.
Despite the announcement on the Houthi-owned al-Masirah satellite news channel about the attack that occurred later on Monday, no claims regarding that assault were made by the rebels. It’s standard procedure for the rebels to delay announcing their involvement in such strikes, often waiting for several hours or even days.