Latest news with #EternityC
CNA
16 minutes ago
- CNA
Search called off for crew of Houthi-hit ship, maritime agencies say
ATHENS: Maritime agencies Diaplous and Ambrey said on Sunday (Jul 13) they had ended their search for the remaining crew of the Eternity C cargo ship that was attacked by Yemen's Houthi militants last week. The decision was made at the request of the vessel's owner, both agencies said. The Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated Eternity C sank on Wednesday morning following attacks over two consecutive days, according to sources at security companies involved in the rescue operation. Ten of the ship's complement of 22 crew and three guards were rescued. The remaining 15 are considered missing, including five who are believed to be dead, maritime security sources said. The Houthis said they had rescued some of the crew. The crew included 21 Filipinos and one Russian. Three armed guards were also on board, including one Greek and one Indian, who were both rescued. "The decision to end the search has been taken by the vessel's Owner reluctantly but it believes that, in all the circumstances, the priority must now be to get the 10 souls safely recovered alive ashore," maritime risk management firm Diaplous and British security firm Ambrey said in a joint statement. The Houthis also claimed responsibility for a similar assault last Sunday targeting another ship, the Magic Seas. All crew from the Magic Seas were rescued before it sank. The strikes on the two ships marked a resumption of a campaign by the Iran-aligned fighters who attacked more than 100 ships from November 2023 to December 2024 in what they said was solidarity with the Palestinians.
Yemen Online
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yemen Online
UK Urges Yemen's Houthis to Release Detained Crew of Sinking Vessel
Aden - United Kingdom has called on Yemen's Houthi militia to immediately and unconditionally release surviving crew members of the Eternity C cargo vessel, which was attacked and sunk in the Red Sea earlier this month. British authorities condemned the assault as a flagrant violation of international maritime law, stressing that most of the crew had no connection to the conflict and that their detention poses a direct threat to civilian lives. The UK joined the U.S. in labeling the incident as terroristic in nature, urging the Houthis to halt further maritime aggression. The fate of several crew members remains uncertain, with reports suggesting some have been captured by the Houthis. The UK expressed deep concern and emphasized the need for their safe return to their families, as search operations continue.
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
At least 4 presumed dead, 11 missing after Houthi rebels sink ship in Red Sea, EU naval mission says
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Four people are presumed dead and 11 others are still missing after a Liberian-flagged cargo ship sank in the Red Sea following an attack by Yemen's Houthi rebels, a European Union naval mission said Friday. The update from the EU's Operation Aspides came as private security forces continue to search for survivors from the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier that sank on Wednesday. Ten people were recovered alive from the attack, including eight Filipino crew members and a Greek and Indian from the vessel's three-man security team, the EU operation said. Fifteen people remain unaccounted for, including the four presumed dead, the mission said. 'All nearby vessels are advised to have a sharp look out,' the EU mission said. The Houthis have said they hold some of the crew. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen — which has operated from Saudi Arabia for about a decade — has described the Houthis as having 'kidnapped' the mariners. The death toll is the highest from any seaborne assault carried out by the Iranian-backed Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route where $1 trillion in cargo once passed through annually. The rebels say they are attacking ships to support Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the Israel-Hamas war, and have in total sank four vessels and killed sailors who had no direct role in the war. The attack on the Eternity C followed the sinking of the bulk carrier Magic Seas in a similar attack last weekend. Neither the European naval force nor the U.S. had been escorting the two vessels when they were attacked. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the Houthi attacks, calling them 'a dangerous re-escalation in this critical waterway.' 'Beyond being an unacceptable attack on the safety and security of seafarers, these acts also violated the freedom of navigation, caused a hazard to maritime transport and represent a serious risk of a significant environmental, economic and humanitarian damage to an already vulnerable coastal environment,' he added in a statement. The Houthis have held mariners in the past. After seizing the vehicle carrier Galaxy Leader in November 2023, the rebels held the crew until January this year. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones. The stopped their attacks during a brief ceasefire in the war. They later became the target of an intense weekslong campaign of airstrikes ordered by U.S. President Donald Trump before he declared a ceasefire had been reached with the rebels. A new possible ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war — as well as the future of talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's battered nuclear program — remain in the balance.
Canada News.Net
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Canada News.Net
Houthi strike on cargo vessel disrupts key global trade route
DUBAI, U.A.E.: A cargo ship flagged under Liberia, known as the Eternity C, sank in the Red Sea following an attack executed by Yemen's Houthi rebels on July 9. This incident has drawn significant attention due to its profound implications for maritime safety in a region vital for international trade, where an estimated US$1 trillion worth of cargo passes annually. Reports indicate that, out of the 25 crew members on board, only six have been rescued, while at least three others have lost their lives in the assault. The attack on the Eternity C marks the most aggressive action taken by the Houthis along the Red Sea trade route recently. This escalation raises alarming concerns regarding the safety of maritime operations in the Red Sea, which had previously seen a cautious revival as vessels began to return to these waters. Furthermore, the incident comes against the backdrop of escalating tensions due to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which the Houthis claim to support through their military actions targeting commercial shipping. From November 2023 to December 2024, the Houthis have reportedly launched over 100 attacks on vessels in the region, utilizing missiles and drones. However, there had been a pause in their aggression during a temporary ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war. Following this, they became the target of significant U.S.-led airstrikes, ordered by President Trump. The simultaneous attack on the Eternity C and the sinking of a separate vessel, the Magic Seas, prompts critical questions regarding maritime security in the Red Sea. Hans Grundberg, the United Nations Special Envoy to Yemen, expressed grave concern regarding the recent hostilities, emphasizing the potential for further civilian casualties and environmental degradation. He referred to the attacking forces as Ansar Allah, another name for the Houthis, and reiterated the need for protecting civilian infrastructure. A statement from the European Union's naval mission confirmed that the crew of the Eternity C comprised 22 sailors, predominantly from the Philippines, alongside a security team that included members from different nations. The nature of the attack was brutal; armed militants reportedly employed rocket-propelled grenades and small arms before utilizing drones and drone boats equipped with explosives to engage the vessel. The ship ultimately sank around 7:50 AM local time. The Eternity C was owned by a Greek company and had been targeted, likely due to its connections with Israel, similar to the Magic Seas attack. Notably, neither of the vessels sought protection from the European naval force stationed in the area. While the U.S. military maintains an operational presence in the region with aircraft carriers like the USS Nimitz and USS Carl Vinson, their location in the Arabian Sea places them far from the scene of the attacks, which, interestingly, had no direct ties to American interests. Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthis, claimed responsibility for the attack via a pre-recorded message, detailing the group's military capabilities in a video showcasing the missile launches aimed at the ship. The footage displayed extensive damage to the Eternity C and indicated a significant oil leak. Observers noted the rebels' chants celebrating the attack, which underscores the deep-seated ideological motivations behind their actions. In the aftermath, Philippe's Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac communicated that the government is actively engaging with families of the Filipino sailors to provide updates on the ongoing search and rescue efforts. This proactive approach stems from a recognition of the emotional turmoil families face during such distressing times. The international community has condemned these assaults. U.S. State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce highlighted the ongoing risks posed by the Houthi rebels to freedom of navigation and regional maritime security, affirming the U.S. commitment to protecting commercial shipping interests. The situation in the Red Sea reflects a complex interplay of geopolitical tensions that extend far beyond Yemen. A balanced approach to diplomacy and conflict resolution is necessary for the region's stability.
Yemen Online
a day ago
- Business
- Yemen Online
Israel Strikes Cripple Yemen's Fragmented Power System
Yemen's Houthis have burst back onto the global stage with deadly maritime attacks in the Red Sea. To weaken the Houthis, Israel has again struck key links in their energy infrastructure, weakening the country's already ailing power sector. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have returned with a vengeance over the past week. The group attacked and sunk both the Greek-owned bulk carriers Magic Seas (IMO: 9736169) and Eternity C (IMO: 9588249), killing at least three sailors and taking multiple hostages in their first attacks in the Red Sea since December. It comes on the back of a fragile truce agreed between their ally Iran, the US, and Israel following 12 days of warfare (MEES, 27 June) and despite ongoing negotiations in Doha for a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
