Houthi Rebels Strike Again in Red Sea: 2 Hurt, 2 Missing After Cargo Ship Attack

A Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged cargo ship was attacked Monday in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, just one day after the same group claimed responsibility for sinking another commercial vessel in the same region.

The latest target, the Eternity C, came under gunfire and drone attack while sailing north toward the Suez Canal, according to EU naval forces and private security sources. The assault left two crew members injured and two others unaccounted for, raising fears that the Houthis are ramping up a renewed campaign against global maritime shipping.

Maritime Assault Follows Ship Sinking Near Yemen

The attack occurred less than 24 hours after the Houthis claimed to have sunk the Magic Seas, another Greek-owned cargo ship, following a multi-stage assault involving drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The crew of 22 abandoned the vessel and were later rescued by a United Arab Emirates naval unit, according to officials.

The Eternity C, which had 21 Filipino crew members, one Russian, and three security guards aboard, did not request an escort before being targeted. EU naval forces confirmed the attack and stated that men in small boats, along with explosive-laden drones, were used in the ambush.

Yemen’s internationally recognized government, which opposes the Houthis, also blamed the rebel group for the attack.

Israeli Military Responds with Airstrikes on Houthi Ports

In apparent retaliation, Israel launched airstrikes early Monday on Houthi-controlled ports in western Yemen—including Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif—and on the Ras Kanatib power plant. The Israeli military said the ports were being used to transport Iranian weapons intended for attacks against Israel and allied vessels.

Israel also claimed to have struck the Galaxy Leader, a ship the Houthis seized in November 2023 and reportedly repurposed as a radar surveillance platform to monitor maritime traffic in the region.

“The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions,” said Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, promising further strikes.

Strategic Red Sea Corridor Threatened

The Red Sea has become a volatile maritime front since the Houthis began launching missile and drone attacks in late 2023, citing support for Hamas amid the war in Gaza.

Between November 2023 and January 2025, Houthi forces targeted more than 100 commercial vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors. Their campaign disrupted one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes, which usually handles over $1 trillion in goods annually.

Though attacks had paused after a U.S.-led airstrike campaign in March, Houthi forces have continued intermittent strikes on Israel and are now seemingly reigniting assaults on commercial shipping.

International Tensions Rising as Ceasefire Talks Stall

The maritime violence comes amid broader regional instability. Efforts to reach a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas remain fragile, and Iran’s role—including its potential return to nuclear negotiations following U.S. strikes on atomic sites in June—adds another layer of uncertainty.

The attacks also mark a potential turning point in the Red Sea crisis, with Western powers closely watching to see if the Houthis’ aggression will provoke renewed military intervention from the U.S. or its allies.

For now, shipping through the Red Sea—which had slightly increased in recent weeks—may again decline as the specter of Houthi violence returns to the world’s trade routes.