International Response Heightens as Houthis Target Second Cargo Ship in Red Sea**

Wed Oct 22 2025 17:41:16 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Operations continue to rescue crew members after a second Greek-operated cargo ship is attacked by Yemen's Houthis, emphasizing increasing maritime threats in the region.**

The ongoing assaults by Houthi forces in the Red Sea have raised alarms over maritime security following the sinking of two cargo ships within a week. With multiple crew members unaccounted for, calls for international intervention grow louder in response to escalating tensions.**

In a troubling continuation of hostilities, Yemen’s Houthi movement has struck a second cargo ship in the Red Sea within just a week, prompting urgent rescue operations and raising significant international concerns. The Greek-operated, Liberian-flagged vessel, Eternity C, was severely damaged by multiple rocket-propelled grenades from Houthi boats on Monday, leading to its eventual sinking. The UK Maritime Trade Operations agency reported that out of 25 crew members aboard, ten were rescued, while at least three individuals have been confirmed dead.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating the ship was en route to Israel. Furthermore, they claimed to have taken some crew members to a safe location, a point contested by the U.S. embassy in Yemen, which accused the Houthis of kidnapping survivors. Among the crew were 21 Filipinos and one Russian national, who sustained critical injuries during the assault.

This incident marks the latest in a series of aggressive maritime actions by the Houthis, who have targeted around 70 vessels in the Red Sea since November 2023. Last Sunday, they claimed another victim when the cargo ship Magic Seas was taken down, although all 22 crew members on that vessel were rescued by a nearby merchant ship.

Reports indicate that these attacks are part of the Houthis’ stated support for Palestinian movements amid the ongoing conflict with Israel, despite their assertions often lacking factual basis. The United States has denounced the assaults on both the Eternity C and Magic Seas, labeling the Houthi actions as terrorist threats that hinder freedom of navigation.

In the wake of these alarming developments, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for increased diplomatic engagement and condemned the recent attacks as violations of international law. Such actions, he warned, pose grave risks not only to mariners but also to local communities affected by the resultant pollution.

As the situation escalates, the international community watches closely, grappling with the implications for regional stability and maritime security.