Houthi Rebels Attack Ship in Red Sea After Claiming Another Sinking
- Houthi rebels launched an attack on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship.
- The Eternity C was under siege by drones and small boats.
- The Magic Seas was also attacked, leading to claims it sank.
- Ongoing attacks threaten maritime safety in the Red Sea.
- Geopolitical tensions affect shipping and regional stability.
Houthi Rebels Launch Attack in the Red Sea
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have escalated tensions in the Red Sea, reportedly launching sustained attacks on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, the Greek-owned Eternity C. The attack comes shortly after the group claimed responsibility for sinking another vessel, heightening concerns of renewed conflict in this critical maritime route. The UK Maritime Trade Operations center stated that the Eternity C remains “surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack,” with at least two crew members injured and two more reportedly missing.
Escalating Violence Threatens Maritime Safety
The Eternity C was en route to the Suez Canal when it became targeted Monday night by armed men in smaller boats alongside bomb-carrying drones. The security personnel on board responded by firing back, but the chaos highlighted the increasingly dangerous conditions for shipping in the region. Although the Houthis have not officially taken responsibility for this latest attack, the exiled Yemeni government and EU forces are pointing fingers at the rebels, linking them to the ongoing violence.
Geopolitical Context of Recent Attacks
This recent spate of attacks is part of a broader Houthi campaign against commercial shipping. Earlier, the rebels targeted another Greek-owned ship, Magic Seas, forcing its crew to abandon ship, followed by claims that it had sunk. These incidents, along with Israeli airstrikes targeting the Houthis, raise fears of further escalations that could involve U.S. and Western military forces, especially considering the sensitive geopolitical climate in the Middle East. The attacks come as the world watches potential ceasefire discussions in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, linking these maritime assaults to the wider regional tensions and actions against Iranian nuclear ambitions.
In summary, the Houthis have reignited tensions in the Red Sea with aggressive attacks on shipping vessels, claiming responsibility for the sinking of multiple ships and blaming escalating regional conflicts. The situation underscores the volatility of maritime trade routes, which are critical for global commerce, while raising significant concerns regarding international military involvement and the safety of seafaring activities in the region.
