Houthi leader hails Red Sea ship attacks as warning to Israel-linked shipping

International Desk (EFE).- Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility this week for the sinking of two cargo ships in the Red Sea, describing the attacks as a stern warning to shipping companies doing business with Israel. Houthi leader Abdul-malik al-Houthi said the strikes were intended as a “clear lesson” for maritime firms violating their declared blockade.

“What happened is a clear message to every shipping company operating in service of the Israeli enemy. They will be treated with this level of firmness,” Al-Houthi said in a televised speech on Thursday.

The two vessels, the ‘Magic Seas’ and ‘Eternity C,’ were attacked with missiles, drones, RPGs, and explosive-laden boats, in what analysts describe as a major escalation in Houthi naval operations.

Al-Houthi tied the escalation to “recent attempts by Israel to reactivate the port of Eilat,” which he referred to by its Arabic name, Umm al Rashrash.

“Some shipping companies, in violation of our declared ban, began sending goods to that port, assuming it would go unnoticed,” he added.

Rescue efforts and casualties

The “Eternity C,” a Greek-managed bulk carrier with 22 crew members and one Greek security officer, were rescued from the sea,” the mission posted on X (formerly Twitter).

“During the night of July 9 to 10, another three Filipino crew members and one Greek security officer were rescued from the sea,” the mission posted on X (formerly Twitter).

The United States Embassy in Yemen accused the Houthis of abducting some of the surviving crew after the vessel was sunk.

“After killing their colleagues and obstructing rescue efforts, the Houthi terrorists kidnapped many survivors from the Eternity C,” said the embassy in a statement.

Greek daily Kathimerini reported that four crew members are believed to have died in the attack, including three trapped in the ship’s engine room.

While Greek authorities and the ship’s operator, Cosmoship Management, have not confirmed fatalities, Liberia’s representative to the International Maritime Organization stated that two seafarers were killed.

The UAE confirmed it rescued the crew of the Magic Seas, which was attacked just 24 hours earlier in a similar trend.

Yemeni government calls for UN action

The internationally recognized Yemeni government condemned the attacks. It urged the international community, particularly the UN Security Council, to take “firm measures” against the Houthis, including designating them a terrorist organization.

“These terrorist attacks pose a serious threat to maritime security and could lead to devastating environmental disasters,” Yemen’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The government blamed both the Houthis and the Iranian regime for the attacks, warning of increased suffering, disrupted aid delivery, and economic fallout in the region.

“This escalation will lead to the militarization of regional waters and more destruction of Yemen’s fragile infrastructure,” the statement read.

Since the outbreak of war in Gaza on Oct. 7, 2023, Houthi rebels, aligned with Iran and backing Hamas, have launched hundreds of attacks on Israeli targets and international shipping, aiming to disrupt Israel’s economy and open a new front in the conflict. EFE

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