Houthi Rebels Target Cargo Ship in Red Sea Amid Escalating Attacks
- Yemen’s Houthi rebels continue attacks in the Red Sea.
- Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, was targeted.
- The Houthis claimed to have sunk the Magic Seas days prior.
- Tensions in the Middle East are heightened amid these attacks.
- Over 100 merchant vessels were attacked by Houthis since November.
Recent Attacks Increase Tensions in Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthi rebels intensified their operations on Tuesday when they targeted a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, the Greek-owned Eternity C, in the Red Sea. The attack followed a previous claim by the Houthis that they had sunk another vessel in this strategically important waterway. Reports indicated that the Eternity C is currently “surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack,” as stated by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center, causing concerns over renewed hostilities in the region.
Multiple Incidents Cause Alarm Among Maritime Agencies
The assault on Eternity C was characterized by gunfire from small boats and even bomb-carrying drones. Initial reports have confirmed that at least two crew members were injured, and another two are reported missing. Although the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for this most recent attack, both Yemen’s exiled government and the European Union naval forces have attributed blame to the rebel group, raising alarms on international maritime safety and the ongoing conflict’s impact on shipping routes.
Implications for Regional Stability and Shipping Trade
These developments come in the wake of a major Houthi attack on a different vessel, the Magic Seas, just days prior, culminating in its crew abandoning the ship amidst a barrage of drones, missiles, and small arms fire. This campaign against merchant shipping has alarmed various international stakeholders, especially with the backdrop of a complicated Middle Eastern situation, including a fragile ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched more than 100 attacks on civilian vessels in the region, threatening a vital trade corridor that sees approximately $1 trillion worth of goods pass through each year, not to mention the recent uptick in shipping activity in the Red Sea after a prior lull.
The ongoing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea underline a critical escalation in maritime threats, exacerbating an already tense political landscape. The recent attacks on commercial vessels, including the Magic Seas and Eternity C, pose serious risks to international shipping and raise concerns about security in the region. As the situation unfolds, stakeholders will be watching closely, particularly with the global economy’s reliance on these shipping routes more important than ever.
