In a troubling escalation of maritime violence, two crew members of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C were killed following an attack by small boats off Yemen's coast. The incident occurred just a day after another assault on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea, which suggests that the waterway, vital for international trade, is increasingly at risk despite recent diplomatic efforts aimed at ensuring safety.
Officials representing Liberia reported the fatalities at a United Nations meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing the unsettling nature of the attack as it aligns with a surge in Houthi activity in the region. Although no group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack on the Eternity C, the timing and method of the assault indicate possible Houthi involvement. The attack adds to the anxiety surrounding maritime security in the Red Sea, which has been a focal point for shipping lanes.
This incident follows a separate attack on Sunday in which the Houthi militia claimed responsibility for sinking another Liberian-flagged ship, the Magic Seas. The crew was forced to abandon ship due to the devastation inflicted during the attack. Reports from Operation Atalanta, an EU anti-piracy operation, confirmed that 22 crew members were rescued and subsequently taken to Djibouti after the ship caught fire.
The Houthi spokesman, Yahya al-Sarea, stated that their forces targeted the Magic Seas because of its alleged connections with Israeli ports, showcasing the persistent geopolitical strife in the area. This recent spate of attacks marks the first significant maritime aggression since the declaration of a truce by President Trump between the U.S. and the Houthis, which he touted as an attempt to secure safe passage for maritime vessels.
As the international community watches closely, these incidents underscore the fragility of ceasefire agreements and the ongoing risks to maritime operations in the tumultuous Red Sea.
