Yemeni Houthi rebels attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea for several hours, authorities said, amid claims by the Houthis that they sank another ship yesterday, the Associated Press reported, quoted by BTA.
The Greek ship “Eternity C“ is still “surrounded by small boats and under constant attack”, the British-based organization Center for Maritime Trade Operations (CMTO) warned today. According to the organization, at least two people on board the ship were wounded and two missing.
The EU's counter-piracy operation "Atalanta" and private security company "Ambri" said the bulk carrier was sailing north towards the Suez Canal last night when it was attacked by men in small boats and drones armed with bombs. The guards on board returned fire.
The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but Yemen's exiled government and EU forces have blamed Yemeni rebels for the attack.
The Houthis attacked the Liberian-flagged Greek bulk carrier "Magic Seas" with drones, rockets, grenade launchers and small arms on Sunday, forcing the 22-member crew to abandon ship. The rebels later said the ship sank in the Red Sea.
The two attacks and Israeli airstrikes in Yemen yesterday raised concerns about the possibility of a renewed Houthi campaign against shipping that could once again draw the United States and Western powers into the fold, the AP said. The administration of US President Donald Trump has recently targeted the rebels in a massive air campaign.
The attacks come at a sensitive time in the Middle East amid a possible ceasefire agreement between Israel and “Hamas“, and as Iran considers whether to renew talks on its nuclear program after US strikes on its nuclear facilities during the Israeli-Iranian war last month.
The Houthi rebels have carried out more than 100 attacks on ships since November 2023, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians in connection with Israel's war with “Hamas“ in the Gaza Strip. Their actions have significantly restricted trade along the Red Sea route, which normally carries $1 trillion worth of goods each year.