After months of relative calm, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have resumed attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, releasing video footage of strikes that sank a pair of cargo ships over the last week. The renewed assaults have raised fresh concerns over maritime security in one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes and drawn condemnation from U.S. and international officials.
Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants attacked and sank two Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ships in the Red Sea this month. The Houthis claimed the Magic Seas and Eternity C violated the rebels’ declared ban on vessels that visit Israeli ports.
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In both cases, the group posted footage showing two assaults using small boats, rocket-propelled grenades, drones, missiles and explosives.
What happened to the Magic Seas?
Rebels attacked the Magic Seas Sunday, July 6, in a siege that continued into the next day, according to BBC News. The attack reportedly began with light weapons and then with kamikaze drones. The Houthis released high-resolution drone footage of the assault, showing armed militants boarding the abandoned ship and placing explosive charges around its hull.
All 22 crew members were rescued by a passing UAE-operated container ship before the vessel sank 51 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Hodeidah port.
What happened to the Eternity C?
On Monday, July 7, the Eternity C came under fire from small boats. Houthi forces struck it with rocket-propelled grenades, disabling the ship and prompting the crew to abandon ship. At least four crew members died, while 10 have been rescued so far. The U.S. embassy in Yemen said the surviving crew were “kidnapped” and called for their release. Most of the 25 crew were Filipino nationals, and one Russian sailor reportedly lost a leg in the attack.
How has the international community responded?
The U.S. State Department condemned both attacks, calling them a threat to maritime security and freedom of navigation. The International Maritime Organization warned of environmental and safety consequences for local populations and seafarers.
Maritime analyst Ami Daniel warned that threats to ships linked to Israel could disrupt as much as one-sixth of global trade routes. The attacks violated international law, according to Arsenio Dominguez, secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization, who said seafarers and local populations remain most at risk.
What’s the broader context?
The attacks come weeks after President Donald Trump brokered a cease-fire between the U.S. and the Houthis, under which the U.S. agreed to suspend airstrikes in exchange for assurances that the Houthis would not target American vessels. However, the agreement did not cover strikes on ships linked to other countries.
The U.S. launched Operation Prosperity Guardian in December 2023 with 20 allied nations to protect Red Sea shipping routes. Israel has also conducted recent strikes on Houthi infrastructure, including the Galaxy Leader, now reportedly used as a mobile radar platform by the group.
Rescue efforts for missing crew members continue. The surge in attacks has sparked renewed calls for stronger international measures to safeguard global maritime corridors.
