Maritime Crisis in the Red Sea Escalates
A series of alarming incidents have unfolded in the Red Sea, where a cargo ship was attacked and sank, leading to the rescue of six mariners. The European Union’s maritime force has confirmed that the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, sustained severe damage during the attack. This event marks a troubling escalation in the ongoing tensions in the region.
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Details of the Attack
The attack on the Eternity C began on Monday and continued into Tuesday. Although the Huthi rebels, who are backed by Iran, have not officially claimed responsibility for this particular incident, they have been linked to previous attacks. Notably, they were responsible for the sinking of the Magic Seas on Sunday, which marked their first attack on shipping this year. The US embassy in Yemen has attributed the attack on the Eternity C to the Huthis, with UK-based security firm Ambrey also suggesting the group is likely responsible.
This resurgence of attacks signals the end of a months-long lull that started during a two-month ceasefire in Gaza earlier this year. The situation remained relatively calm even after a May ceasefire between the Huthis and Washington. However, recent developments have reignited hostilities in the area.
Rescue Efforts and Casualties
Operation Aspides, the European Union naval task force deployed in the Red Sea, reported that six crew members had been rescued from the sea following the attack. Among them were five Filipinos and one Indian national. Despite the rescue, 19 others remain missing. The ship reportedly sank, according to information shared by the vessel’s owners, as cited by Ambrey and Filipino authorities.
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According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, the rescued Filipinos had some injuries but no serious conditions were reported. A total of 25 people were aboard the Eternity C, with 21 being citizens of the Philippines. Earlier reports from the British navy’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations indicated that five crew members had been rescued after search and rescue operations commenced overnight.
Impact of the Attacks
Aspides had previously stated that three people were killed and at least two injured in the attack, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg. These figures underscore the severity of the incident and the risks faced by those at sea.
The Huthi rebels initiated their attacks on Red Sea shipping in late 2023, citing support for Palestinians in Gaza. They claimed responsibility for the attack on the Magic Seas, stating that its owner had engaged in business with Israel and used its ports. The rebels released a video showing masked gunmen storming the Magic Seas and simultaneous explosions that led to the ship’s sinking.
Broader Implications
Both ships involved in these attacks were likely targeted due to prior Israeli port calls or ownership/ship manager affiliations, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre, which is run by Western navies. The Huthi attacks have prompted many shipping companies to take longer routes around the southern tip of Africa to avoid the Red Sea, which normally carries about 12 percent of global trade.
Huthi threats to renew their attacks after the Gaza ceasefire collapsed in March led to a deadly US bombing campaign against the rebels, which concluded with a May ceasefire. However, the rebels have vowed to continue targeting “Israeli ships.”
In a statement on Tuesday, the US embassy in Yemen blamed the Huthis for the Eternity C attack, calling it “the most violent” yet and accusing them of undermining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Israel, which has also faced direct missile and drone attacks from the Huthis, has carried out multiple strikes on rebel targets in Yemen, most recently on Sunday.
