Yemen’s Houthi rebels launched a prolonged attack on a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea on Tuesday, following their claim of sinking another vessel earlier this week — a series of incidents that threaten to escalate tensions and reignite conflict in the strategically vital waterway.
According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, the Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C remained “surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack.” At least two people aboard the ship were reported injured, and two others were missing as of Tuesday.
The ship, which was heading north toward the Suez Canal, came under assault late Monday by men in small boats and bomb-laden drones. Security personnel on board returned fire in defense, according to reports from the European Union’s anti-piracy mission Operation Atalanta and private maritime security firm Ambrey.
Though the Houthis have not officially claimed responsibility for this latest incident, Yemen’s exiled government and EU officials have squarely blamed the Iran-backed rebel group for the attack.
Just two days earlier, the Houthis targeted another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, Magic Seas, using drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon the vessel, which the rebels later said had sunk in the Red Sea.
The back-to-back attacks, combined with Israeli airstrikes targeting Houthi positions early Monday, have raised concerns about the potential for a renewed Houthi campaign against commercial shipping.
Israel launches airstrikes on Yemen’s Houthis; rebels retaliate with missile fire
Such a campaign could again prompt a military response from U.S. and Western forces, as seen during the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, which launched airstrikes against the group.
These developments unfold at a critical juncture in the region. A possible ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict remains uncertain, and Iran is reportedly weighing its options about returning to nuclear negotiations following U.S. strikes on its key nuclear sites during the brief Israel-Iran conflict in June.
The Houthis, who control much of northern Yemen, have continued to justify their maritime attacks as a means to pressure Israel to halt its offensive in Gaza. From November 2023 to January 2025, the group targeted over 100 merchant ships with missiles and drones, sinking two and killing four sailors.
Their actions have significantly disrupted trade along the Red Sea corridor, a route that typically facilitates $1 trillion in annual global commerce.
Although Red Sea shipping had begun to recover in recent weeks, the recent Houthi attacks could threaten that progress. The rebels had paused maritime assaults since the U.S. launched a major campaign against them in mid-March, but their latest attacks mark a potential return to hostilities.
However, they had continued sporadic missile launches targeting Israel during that period