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Deadly Attack on Commercial Vessel
Two crew members were killed during a Houthi rebel attack on the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C in the Red Sea. The assault occurred near Yemen's port city of Hodeida while the vessel was en route to the Suez Canal.
Escalating Maritime Conflict
According to the Liberian delegation at the International Maritime Organization, the attack began yesterday evening with multiple small boats firing on the Greek-owned vessel. Initial reports indicated two injuries and two missing persons. The fatalities mark the first deaths in Red Sea attacks since June 2024, bringing the total death toll to six since Houthi operations intensified following the Gaza conflict.
Pattern of Attacks
This incident follows Sunday's assault on the Magic Seas, which endured hours of drone, grenade, and gunfire attacks. While its 22 crew evacuated safely, the Houthis claim the vessel sank - a statement unconfirmed by international authorities. Since November 2023, Houthi forces have targeted over 100 commercial vessels in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza conflict.
Geopolitical Context
The Red Sea crisis began in October 2023 when Iran-backed Houthi militants initiated attacks on shipping lanes following the outbreak of the Israel-Gaza war. Controlling significant Yemeni territory along the Red Sea coast, the group has disrupted global trade routes through the Bab-el-Mandeb strait - a vital maritime chokepoint connecting Asia to Europe.
International Response
In January 2024, the UN Security Council adopted Resolution 2722 condemning the attacks and affirming navigation rights. The US-led Operation Prosperity Guardian was established to protect shipping, with coalition forces conducting retaliatory strikes against Houthi positions. The ongoing conflict has forced hundreds of vessels to reroute around Africa's Cape of Good Hope, increasing transit times by 7-14 days and significantly impacting global supply chains.
