Houthi Escalation in the Red Sea

"We are now with grave concern seeing an escalation in the Red Sea with attacks on two commercial ships earlier this week by Ansar Allah, resulting in civilian loss of life and casualties as well as the potential for environmental damage."

United Nations special envoy Hans Grundberg

 

"We remain deeply concerned for the welfare of the crew members in the custody of the Houthis, as well as for those currently unaccounted for."

"Their safety and swift release must be a priority for all involved."

Ellie Shafik, head of intelligence, UK-based maritime risk management company Vanguard Tech 

 

"[The US state department condemns the attacks on the Magic Seas and Eternity C, which] demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security."

"The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community."

U.S. State Department

 

"After several months of calm, the resumption of deplorable attacks in the Red Sea constitutes a renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation." 

"Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks and the pollution they cause."

Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general, International Maritime Organization (IMO)  

A crew member being rescued on Wednesday age 48 hours afloat. Photograph: Diaplous/Reuters

 

The Yemeni Houthi terrorist group is back at it again, attacking civil shipping in the Red Sea. Two ships were attacked, some of their crews dying in the attack, others taken prisoner, others still rescued from the water after having spent two days clinging to life-support systems. Liberian-flagged Eternity C cargo ship sank on Wednesday with only six of its 25 crew aboard rescued, according to a European naval force in the Mideast.

 

Three of the crew on the Eternity C were killed, the most serious assault by the Houthis in the maritime trade route to date. A route that once had $1 trillion in cargo pass through every year. Houthis targeted over 100 ships with missiles and drones from November of 2023 to December of 2024 in their campaign of support to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas conflict.

 

During a brief ceasefire in the war, the Houthi terrorists, supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, halted their attacks. They were earlier targeted by an intense campaign of weeks of airstrikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump. The sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in another earlier attack on Sunday, and then the attack on the Eternity C, raises new concerns relating to the ongoing safety of the Red Sea as a shipping route.  

 

Ships had gradually been returning to the Red Sea following the U.S. airstrikes. Today, Israel launched a series of airstrikes against the Yemeni port of Hudaydah in reprisal against the drones and missiles sent by the Houthi forces into Israel. "Due to the terrorist Houthi regime's use of seaports for its terrorist activities, we urge all those present at these ports to evacuate and stay away from them for your own safety until further notice," IDF Arabic spokesperson Avichay Adraee wrote on X.

 

Plumes of smoke rise from what is said to be Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas. This screen grab is taken from a handout video released on July 8, 2025.

Houthi Media Center/Reuters

 

 According to the European Union naval mission in the Red Sea, the ship's crew was comprised of 22 sailors, among them 21 Filipinos and one Russian, along with a three-member security team. During the hours-long attack on the ship, three people were killed. The ship had been attacked with rocket-propelled grenades and small arms. Two drones and two drone boats carrying bombs to strike the vessel were later used, sinking the Eternity C, on Wednesday.

 

Like the Magic Seas struck several days earlier, the Eternity C had likely been targeted over its owners conducting business with Israel. Neither vessel had requested an escort from the EU force. While the EU force was still searching for those on board with private industry rescuers, a Houthi military spokesman claimed the attack in a pre-recorded message Wednesday night.  

 

The Eternity C sinking after the attack Photograph: Houthi handout/EPA