Houthis in Yemen Confirm in Video They Are Holding 11 Mariners Hostage
The men said they were safe and thanked the Houthis for taking care of them, though it was not clear how much duress they were under when the video was filmed.
The video, which was heavily edited, was the first confirmation of the number of hostages and of some of their identities. It was not clear when it was filmed.
The video included footage of what Houthi officials have described as the mariners being 'rescued' from the water after the militia attacked and sank their cargo ship, the Eternity C, on July 7, while it was sailing through the Red Sea.
At least two mariners were killed in the attack, and two more are presumed dead.
The Houthis said their fighters had targeted the ship because it was heading to an Israeli port. The Yemeni militia has been launching missiles and drones at vessels sailing through the Red Sea since late 2023, saying this was a campaign to pressure Israel and its international allies to end the war in Gaza and allow more aid to enter the Palestinian enclave.
'For other ships, please do not go to Israel because it is very dangerous and many Palestinian people are suffering,' a crew member identified as Rafael Gonzales said in the video.
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