A Liberian-flagged cargo ship got here below fireplace from Houthi rebels Monday within the Crimson Sea, with two on board reported to be damage and two others lacking in an assault a day after the Yemen-based rebels sunk one other vessel.
The assault on the Greek-owned bulk provider Eternity C within the essential maritime route got here after the Houthis attacked the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk provider Magic Seas with drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms fireplace Sunday, forcing its crew of twenty-two to desert the vessel.
The 2 assaults and a spherical of Israeli airstrikes early Monday focusing on the rebels raised fears of a renewed Houthi marketing campaign in opposition to transport that might once more attract U.S. and Western forces, notably after U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration focused the rebels in a significant airstrike marketing campaign.
The assaults come at a delicate second within the Center East, as a attainable ceasefire within the Israel-Hamas struggle hangs within the steadiness, and as Iran weighs whether or not to restart negotiations over its nuclear program following American airstrikes focusing on its most delicate atomic websites in the course of the Israel-Iran struggle in June.
Ship assaults strike Crimson Sea
The European Union anti-piracy patrol Operation Atalanta and the personal safety agency Ambrey reported the most recent assault. They mentioned the Eternity C had been heading north towards the Suez Canal when it got here below fireplace by males in small boats and by bomb-carrying drones. The safety guards on board additionally fired their weapons.
Operation Atalanta mentioned the Eternity C had a crew of 21 Filipinos and one Russian, plus three safety personnel. The EU pressure mentioned the ship had not requested an escort.
The EU pressure additionally mentioned the Houthis carried out the assault.
Moammar al-Eryani, the data minister with Yemen’s internationally acknowledged authorities that opposes the Houthis and relies in southern Yemen, additionally blamed the rebels for the Eternity C assault. The Houthis management the northern half of Yemen and its capital, Sanaa.
The assault on the Eternity C occurred in the identical space because the assault Sunday on the Magic Seas, about 100 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of the port of Hodeida, Yemen, which is held by the Houthis.
An armed safety workforce on the vessel had returned fireplace in opposition to an preliminary assault of gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades, although the vessel later was struck by projectiles. Operation Atalanta, mentioned 22 mariners had been on board the Magic Seas, with the United Arab Emirates saying an Abu Dhabi Ports vessel rescued the sailors.
Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree, the Houthis’ army spokesman, claimed Sunday’s assault on the Magic Seas. Saree later mentioned the vessel sunk.
The Houthis’ al-Masirah satellite tv for pc information channel famous the later assault Monday, however the rebels didn’t declare that assault. They routinely wait hours and even days after an assault to take action.
Israeli strikes goal Houthi-held ports
The Israeli army mentioned that it struck Houthi-held ports early Monday at Hodeida, Ras Isa and Salif, in addition to the Ras Kanatib energy plant. It launched footage displaying an F-16 launching from Israel for the strike, which got here after the Israeli army issued a warning for the world.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime, which are employed to carry out terrorist operations against the state of Israel and its allies,” the Israeli army mentioned.
The Israeli army additionally mentioned it struck the Galaxy Chief, a vehicle-carrying vessel that the Houthis seized again in November 2023 after they started their assaults within the Crimson Sea hall over the Israel-Hamas struggle.
“Houthi forces installed a radar system on the ship and have been using it to track vessels in the international maritime arena to facilitate further terrorist activities,” the Israeli army mentioned.
The Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Chief was affiliated with an Israeli billionaire and had been operated by a Japanese agency, NYK Line.
The Houthis acknowledged the strikes, however gave no injury evaluation.
Israel has repeatedly attacked Houthi areas in Yemen, together with a naval strike in June. Each Israel and america have struck ports within the space prior to now — together with an American assault that killed 74 folks in April — however Israel is now performing alone in attacking the rebels as they proceed to fireplace missiles at Israel.
Israeli Protection Minister Israel Katz threatened to launch additional strikes.
“What’s true for Iran is true for Yemen,” Katz mentioned in an announcement. “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”
Houthi assaults came to visit the Israel-Hamas struggle
The Houthi rebels have been launching missile and drone assaults in opposition to business and army ships within the area in what the group’s management has described as an effort to finish Israel’s offensive in opposition to Hamas within the Gaza Strip.
Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis focused greater than 100 service provider vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two of them and killing 4 sailors. Their marketing campaign has tremendously diminished the circulate of commerce by way of the Crimson Sea hall, which usually sees $1 trillion of products transfer by way of it yearly. Delivery by way of the Crimson Sea, whereas nonetheless decrease than regular, has elevated in latest weeks.
The Houthis paused assaults till the U.S. launched a broad assault in opposition to the rebels in mid-March. That ended weeks later and the Houthis haven’t attacked a vessel, although they’ve continued occasional missile assaults focusing on Israel.
