Houthi Attack Sinks Cargo Ship in Red Sea; Search for 19 Crew Continues
A Liberian-flagged cargo ship, the Eternity C, sank in the Red Sea after being attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels, killing at least three crew members. Of the 25 people aboard, which included 22 sailors and three security personnel, only six have been rescued so far—one Indian and five Filipinos. The incident marks a serious escalation in the Houthi campaign against commercial shipping, raising fresh concerns over the safety of the critical maritime trade route and its impact on global commerce.
Unpacked:
The Houthis began targeting shipping in the Red Sea as a show of support for Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas conflict, initially focusing on vessels linked to Israel. Over time, their attacks expanded to include ships from many countries, in retaliation for perceived American and British aggression against Yemen and to increase their global profile.
The escalation has caused significant disruptions: by March 2024, over 2,000 ships had diverted from the Red Sea to longer, costlier routes around the Cape of Good Hope, leading to increased shipping times and costs and a measurable decrease in global trade volume.
International naval forces, including the US, France, and Germany, have deployed warships to the region, intercepted missiles and drones, and provided close protection to merchant vessels. Some ships also employ armed security teams onboard to respond to attacks.
While the Houthis initially targeted ships linked to Israel, they have since attacked vessels associated with over 40 nations, claiming they are retaliating for Western military actions and support for Israel. Some reports suggest ships from Russia and China may be largely spared due to political agreements.