**Rescue operations are underway following attacks by the Houthis on two cargo vessels in the Red Sea this week, as the international response intensifies.**
**Survivor Search Continues After Houthi Attacks Sink Cargo Ships in Red Sea**
**Survivor Search Continues After Houthi Attacks Sink Cargo Ships in Red Sea**
**The international community raises alarm as further incidents of maritime violence unfold in the region.**
In a troubling escalation of maritime violence, Yemen's Houthi rebels have officially sunk two cargo ships within a week in the Red Sea, prompting widespread calls for action. The recent attack on the Liberian-flagged Eternity C led to the sinking of the vessel on Monday, resulting in the rescue of six crew members and the unfortunate deaths of at least three others.
The Eternity C, which had a crew of 25, became disabled after being struck by rocket-propelled grenades launched from small boats, according to the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). Subsequent to the assault, operations to recover survivors commenced overnight, amidst claims from the Iran-backed Houthis that the vessel was en route to Israel. The group has since rescued an unspecified number of crew members and claims to have taken them to a "safe location." The US embassy in Yemen confirmed reports of kidnappings related to the incident and demanded their immediate release.
Conversely, the previous attack on the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged cargo ship, involved missiles and drones, with the Houthis alleging it was linked to violations concerning the entry ban to occupied Palestinian ports. Thankfully, the crew of 22 aboard the Magic Seas was safely rescued by a passing merchant ship.
As maritime security concerns escalate, the Houthis have reportedly targeted approximately 70 vessels since November 2023, which include a mixture of missile attacks and naval confrontations. Of particular concern is that they have sunk four ships and taken action against a fifth, resulting in at least seven crew members' deaths in the process.
The European Union’s Operation Aspides is actively involved in response efforts to the Eternity C attack, confirming that six castaway crew members have been rescued from the sea thus far. Reports indicate that 19 crew members remain unaccounted for, raising fears of a higher casualty count.
The international response has been significant, with the US condemning the attacks as threats to maritime freedom and calling for global unity against the Houthi aggressions. The US State Department emphasized the need for action to protect commercial shipping from such terrorist behaviors.
Amidst these tensions, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, has called for heightened diplomatic engagement, rebuking the renewed attacks as a violation of international law. As investigations continue, the focus remains keenly set on ensuring the safety of innocent seafarers, emphasizing the need for international solidarity against such acts of aggression in crucial maritime routes.
