Two maritime cargo vessels came under separate, violent attacks this week in the Red Sea, leaving multiple sailors dead, several wounded, and a number missing after Houthi rebels launched their first strikes on commercial ships since late 2024.
According to CBS News, the assaults on the Magic Seas and Eternity C are raising international alarm as Houthi militants resume hostile actions on critical shipping lanes, disrupting trade and endangering civilian lives just months after easing wartime maritime activity.
The Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo ship Magic Seas was the first to be targeted on Sunday in a coordinated attack involving aerial drones, missiles, small firearms, and rocket-propelled grenades. Houthi forces struck as the ship was navigating the Red Sea, forcing the 22-member crew to flee the vessel. The ship reportedly sank following the assault, according to statements released by the Houthi rebels.
The following night, a second Liberian-flagged ship named Eternity C, also under Greek ownership, was ambushed while moving north toward the Suez Canal. The assault featured small boats and explosive-laden aerial drones aimed at the ship. The onboard private security team responded with gunfire to repel the attackers. The Eternity C was occupied by 22 crewmembers, including 21 Filipinos and one Russian national, as well as a three-person private security contingent. Despite the defensive efforts, the attack led to casualties and chaos, causing the vessel to drift incapacitated in the Red Sea.
Casualties and Kidnappings Mark a Turning Point
The aftermath of the Eternity C strike revealed grim consequences. Three sailors were confirmed dead, while two others were injured, one of whom suffered a leg amputation. Six crew members, including five Filipinos and one Indian national, were found and rescued from the sea.
Several mariners were taken by Houthi forces during the operation and remain missing as of Wednesday. The fates of those kidnapped are currently unknown, sparking an urgent appeal from international officials for their safe return.
“We call for their immediate and unconditional safe release,” the U.S. Embassy in Yemen stated, condemning the abductions. Officials further stressed that the Houthis’ latest actions underscore why the group has been designated a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Renewed Hostilities Disrupt Vital Trade Routes
The recent resurgence in Red Sea hostility follows a period of quiet that began in March 2025. Armed maritime interventions by the Houthis had sharply declined after comprehensive U.S. military operations pushed back against their regional influence earlier this year.
From November 2023 to January 2025, however, Houthi operations against commercial ships were widespread, with over 100 vessels targeted. Those earlier strikes resulted in the sinking of two cargo ships and the deaths of four crew members. The intensity of those attacks had largely curtailed traffic through this key maritime lane.
Recent months saw a modest rebound in Red Sea shipping activity, restoring a portion of the economic throughput along a corridor that typically transports around $1 trillion in goods annually. That sense of stability is now under threat following the dual incidents this week.
Attacks Prompt International Concern Amid Larger Conflict
UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg acknowledged the worsening situation, expressing deep concern over the sudden escalation. He noted that the violence not only jeopardizes human lives but could also lead to environmental hazards from damaged or sunken cargo vessels.
Grundberg also warned that the timing of these strikes is especially troubling, as it coincides with Israeli military actions in Houthi-held parts of Yemen. Airstrikes carried out by Israeli forces earlier this week targeted strategic infrastructure in those regions. The Houthi rebel group has justified its maritime campaign as an act of solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which reignited in October 2023. This regional dimension complicates efforts at de-escalation and has caught the attention of global powers.
Wider Implications for the Middle East Security Landscape
This week’s renewed violence could exert pressure on delicate ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. It also comes at a time when Iran is reportedly weighing whether to resume nuclear discussions following U.S. airstrikes in June that targeted its atomic development facilities.
These overlapping tensions suggest that regional players are adjusting their military and diplomatic strategies, with maritime shipping routes once again becoming frontline theaters in broader geopolitical contests. The attack on the Magic Seas and Eternity C may represent more than isolated incidents. Strategic analysts fear they could mark a return to wide-scale Houthi interference with maritime commerce, potentially redrawing security logistics across the Red Sea and beyond.
