The ongoing conflict in Yemen has escalated fears surrounding maritime security in the Red Sea, following a recent incident where a cargo ship, the *Eternity C*, was reportedly sunk by the Iran-backed Houthi forces. This event marks the second vessel that the Houthis have taken down within a week, stirring international concern regarding the safety of commercial navigation in the region.
According to reports from the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the *Eternity C*, which was flagged in Liberia and operated by a Greek company, faced a significant attack on July 9, 2025. The incident left the ship severely damaged as it lost all propulsion after sustaining hits from rockets launched from small boats associated with the Houthis. This alarming attack resulted in the deaths of at least three crew members, with further reports of injuries and ongoing rescue operations. Six crew members have been successfully rescued, while many others remain unaccounted for, prompting urgent search efforts in the waters of the Red Sea.
The Houthi group justified their aggressive action against the *Eternity C*, asserting that the vessel was on course toward Israel. They further claimed to have taken several surviving crew members to safety, a statement echoed by the U.S. embassy, which accused the Houthis of kidnapping survivors and demanded their immediate release. The *Eternity C* was carrying 25 crew members at the time of the attack, among which 21 were reportedly from the Philippines, alongside a severely injured Russian national who suffered life-altering injuries during the assault.
This incident follows a similar attack on the *Magic Seas*, another Liberian-flagged cargo ship, just days prior, where the Houthis launched missiles and drones, claiming the vessel was linked to operations that violated their declared maritime zones. Fortunately, all 22 crew members aboard the *Magic Seas* were rescued by a passing ship before any fatalities occurred. The coordination of such maritime attacks reflects a disturbing trend, as the Houthis have reportedly targeted roughly 70 merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, leading to the sinking of four vessels and the deaths of several crew members.
The situation has raised alarms among international stakeholders. The European Union’s naval mission, Operation Aspides, is actively involved in the response to these maritime threats and has participated in rescue operations for the *Eternity C*, recovering six castaway crew members thus far. The United States has condemned these aggressive maneuvers, calling them a direct threat to global maritime security and emphasizing the need for collective action to safeguard freedom of navigation in the region.
Diplomatic efforts to resolve the situation face challenges as well. Although the Houthis had previously agreed to a ceasefire concerning U.S. military actions, they continue to assert that such agreements do not apply to their operations against targets associated with Israel. This ongoing cycle of violence is further compounded by the Houthis’ reiterated claims of supporting Palestinian causes in the ongoing conflict with Israel.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has also weighed in, calling for enhanced diplomatic discussions to address the renewed wave of maritime violence. The Secretary-General of the IMO condemned the attacks as violations of international maritime laws and underscored the vulnerability of innocent seafarers caught in the crossfire.
In conclusion, the incidents involving the *Eternity C* and *Magic Seas* not only underscore the precarious security environment in the Red Sea but also highlight the complexities of international maritime law amid ongoing regional conflicts. With the Houthis asserting their objectives in relation to broader geopolitical tensions, effective measures must be implemented to ensure the safety of global shipping lanes and protect vulnerable maritime personnel from the impacts of such hostilities.
