In a deeply troubling development in the already volatile Red Sea region, the Greek-owned cargo vessel Eternity C, sailing under a Liberian flag, came under a violent and coordinated assault by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The attack resulted in injuries to at least two crew members, with two others reported missing.
This latest aggression comes just a day after another bulk carrier, Magic Seas, was similarly attacked and ultimately sunk, marking a renewed escalation in Houthi operations that threatens not only regional stability but also the integrity of global maritime trade routes.
The Eternity C was traveling northward toward the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most critical chokepoints for maritime commerce, when it was ambushed by armed men in small boats and drones carrying explosives. According to reports from the European Union’s anti-piracy naval force, Operation Atalanta, and private maritime security firm Ambrey, the ship did not request escort protection, a decision that proved fateful.
With a crew consisting primarily of 21 Filipinos and one Russian, along with three onboard security personnel, the vessel was severely compromised during the assault. Security forces on board responded with gunfire, but the coordinated nature of the attack left the ship defenseless.
This incident underscores the rising threat posed by the Houthis in the Red Sea corridor and reaffirms their continued capacity to disrupt international maritime activity with deadly consequences.
Rising Tide of Houthi Rebel Attacks in the Red Sea
The attack on Eternity C follows closely on the heels of the destruction of Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo vessel. On Sunday, the Magic Seas was assaulted using an arsenal of missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, drones, and small arms fire. The intensity and variety of weapons used suggest a calculated and militarily coordinated operation, demonstrating the Houthis’ growing proficiency and boldness in maritime warfare.
The 22-member crew of Magic Seas was forced to abandon ship after sustaining damage from multiple projectiles. The vessel ultimately sank, as confirmed by Houthi military spokesman Brigadier General Yahya Saree. A rescue operation by a United Arab Emirates vessel from Abu Dhabi Ports was able to recover the stranded sailors, avoiding a potentially larger human tragedy.
Read : Houthi Rebel Attacked UK Oil Tanker in Red Sea: Watch
These two consecutive maritime attacks mark a significant shift in the Houthis’ operational focus. Traditionally engaged in land-based warfare against Yemen’s internationally recognized government and the Saudi-led coalition, the rebels have increasingly turned their attention to the Red Sea as a strategic theater. Control over this waterway allows them to not only disrupt commercial traffic but also to exert geopolitical pressure on a global scale.
🚢 Yemen's #Houthi rebels have again targeted Red Sea maritime traffic, sinking the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C.
— FRANCE 24 English (@France24_en) July 10, 2025
⚠️ At least three crew members were killed, with only six of 25 rescued so far pic.twitter.com/L5LDqox52Q
The location of the attacks—approximately 60 miles southwest of Hodeida, a port under Houthi control—suggests that the rebels are exploiting their geographic position for maximum effect. With small armed vessels and bomb-laden drones, they can quickly mount assaults on ships transiting the narrow and vulnerable waters of the Red Sea. These developments point to an emerging maritime front in Yemen’s long and brutal conflict, one that carries global repercussions.
Geopolitical Implications and the Risk of Wider Conflict
The resurgence in Houthi maritime aggression comes at a particularly sensitive time in the Middle East. Talks of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict are ongoing, and the wider region remains unstable following a recent confrontation between Israel and Iran.
The possibility of renewed negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program adds another layer of complexity. It is within this broader context that the Houthis’ actions must be interpreted—not merely as isolated terrorist acts but as part of a broader regional strategy that includes Iranian interests.
The attack on the Eternity C could also reignite Western military involvement in the region. The U.S., under the Trump administration, previously launched a significant airstrike campaign against Houthi positions. With the rebels ramping up their maritime offensives once again, there is increasing pressure on Western powers, particularly the U.S. and European nations, to respond more forcefully to secure one of the world’s most vital trade arteries.
The Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea, is a lifeline for global commerce. Disruptions in the region directly impact oil shipments, commercial trade, and supply chains across Europe, Asia, and beyond. The targeting of commercial shipping by the Houthis is not merely a regional issue; it is a global security challenge that could drive up shipping costs, insurance rates, and commodity prices worldwide.
Furthermore, the European Union’s Operation Atalanta has played a role in documenting and responding to these attacks, but their presence alone appears insufficient in preventing such aggressive actions. The security architecture in the Red Sea may need to be reconsidered, possibly through a coordinated international response involving NATO, the U.S. Navy, and other stakeholders committed to protecting international maritime routes.
Human Cost and Crew Vulnerability
Beyond the geopolitical and economic consequences lies a more immediate human tragedy. Crew members aboard both Eternity C and Magic Seas faced life-threatening conditions. The chaos of an attack involving drones, gunfire, and grenades leaves little time for organized response or escape. Despite having armed security onboard, the crew of Eternity C could not fend off the assault.
Two were injured, and two remain unaccounted for, their fates unknown amid the debris and danger that now define the Red Sea’s commercial lanes. The shipping industry employs tens of thousands of seafarers from developing nations, many of whom are ill-equipped or insufficiently trained to handle high-risk maritime conflict zones.
Filipinos, who make up a significant portion of the global maritime workforce, are often on the frontlines of such attacks. While shipping companies employ private security and adhere to anti-piracy protocols, the escalating nature of Houthi aggression calls for enhanced training, better defensive capabilities, and more robust rescue coordination systems.
The lack of a timely request for escort from the Eternity C raises critical questions about risk assessment and crisis preparedness in commercial shipping. Why was the vessel sailing unescorted through a known hotspot of militant activity? Was the threat underestimated, or was it a calculated risk taken to maintain shipping schedules and reduce costs?
Regardless of the rationale, the consequences have proven dire. Industry-wide, there must now be a reckoning over the standards of maritime security and the responsibilities of shipowners to ensure the safety of their crews in conflict zones.
The attacks on Eternity C and Magic Seas are not isolated incidents but part of a deliberate strategy by the Houthi rebels to destabilize the Red Sea corridor. These assaults carry grave implications—not only for regional security and global trade but also for the men and women who crew these vulnerable vessels.
As the international community considers its next steps, it must do so with a clear understanding that the Houthis are no longer just a regional militia but a force capable of launching complex maritime attacks with global consequences. Whether through enhanced naval patrols, diplomatic pressure, or targeted military action, a robust and coordinated response is now essential to prevent further loss of life and protect one of the world’s most critical trade routes.