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Newsweek
a day ago
- Politics
- Newsweek
Iran-Backed Fighters Parade Hostages as Trump Faces New Crisis
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. The Iranian-backed Yemeni Houthis have issued stern warnings to vessels defying their Red Sea blockade against Israel, confirming in a video Monday that they were holding several crew members of a cargo ship hostage. The crew of the Eternity C, one of two commercial vessels sank earlier in July, included mainly Filipinos, according to the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers (DMW), which said 16 were missing after the attack and called for the immediate release of the "kidnapped" seafarers. Newsweek has contacted the U.S. Embassy in Yemen and the Philippines' Foreign Ministry for comment. Why It Matters The attack on the Eternity C, in the same week the Houthis attacked the Magic Seas, signaled a show of force by the Iran-backed militant group, which is disrupting a key global trade route despite a heavy campaign of U.S. airstrikes in March ordered by President Donald Trump. Trump said the group would be "annihilated" and promised to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The U.S. is also imposing sanctions aimed at curbing Iran's proxy influence in the region. A renewed blockade of the narrow Bab el-Mandeb Strait by the Houthis may once again threaten international shipping in general and U.S. economic interests in particular, forcing Trump's hand in the long-restive region. FILE - Houthi supporters attend a rally against the U.S.-led airstrikes on Yemen and in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Yemen, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Feb. 09, 2024. Despite a month... FILE - Houthi supporters attend a rally against the U.S.-led airstrikes on Yemen and in support of the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip on Yemen, in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, Feb. 09, 2024. Despite a month of U.S.-led airstrikes, Yemen's Iranian-backed Houthi rebels have launched attacks seriously damaging a ship in the crucial Bab el-Mandeb Strait and apparently bringing down an American drone worth tens of millions of dollars. More Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo What To Know In the six-minute video released by the Houthis, a distorted voice asked a crew member if he knew the ship was headed to Israel. The crew responded that they were assigned to load fertilizer there for delivery to China. Marc Jayson, the ship's third officer, said the captain had informed the crew they were headed to the Israeli port of Eilat from Somalia. "We asked if there was any bonus for sailing to a high-risk area," he said, adding they received no further details before the attack. Another crew member said the captain had ordered all satellite communications turned off as the ship approached Eilat—a claim the Houthis used to justify their attack against all commercial vessels stopping at Israeli ports. . Filipino Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Leo Cacdac said an initial investigation found the ship had violated maritime safety protocols by crossing the Red Sea twice—via Egypt, Somalia, and Jeddah—despite a DMW ban on Filipino seafarers boarding vessels transiting the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, according to the official Philippine News Agency on July 10. In November 2023, the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader while it was sailing from Turkey to India, detaining its multinational crew, including more than a dozen Filipino seafarers, before being released in January 2025. What People Are Saying Houthis' military media statement on Telegram, translated from Arabic: "Maritime navigation is safe for all except for Israeli ships, those headed to occupied Palestinian ports, or vessels operated by companies that have violated the blockade—until the aggression and blockade on Gaza cease." Aleksei Galaktonin, identified in the Houthi video as an electrical engineer on board the Eternity C, said: "Captain didn't respond to the authority of Yemen. Maybe that's why they started attacking." U.S. Embassy in Yemen in statement on X on July 9: "The Houthis continue to show the world why the United States was right to label them as a terrorist organization." What Happens Next Trump has other pressing priorities globally, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and a trade deal with China, the world's second-largest economy. However, he may be compelled to intervene once more in the Middle East if U.S. shipping costs rise as a result of another blockade. It remains unclear if or when the Houthis will release the Filipino crew members
Observer
21-07-2025
- Business
- Observer
Oman opens integrated visa, medical examination center in Manila
Manila - Oman Visa and Medical Examination Center was inaugurated in the Philippine capital, Manila, as part of a strategic initiative by the Sultanate of Oman to streamline and regulate work visa procedures under employment contracts approved under Omani labour law. The opening ceremony was held under the patronage of Sayyid Badr bin Hamad al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, and Dr. Mahad bin Said Ba'awin, Minister of Labour. This project marks the culmination of the investment forum held earlier this month between the two countries in Cebu, Philippines. The center offers a comprehensive, one-stop service experience, including biometric fingerprint registration, medical examinations, document and employment contract attestation, and other value-added services. Designed to enhance efficiency, protect both workers and employers, and reduce reliance on unregulated intermediaries, the center enables employers to verify skills and qualifications to ensure they match job requirements. Additionally, the center provides services such as issuing Omani phone numbers and opening bank accounts in the Sultanate of Oman. It also features a dedicated application information center and conducts awareness sessions on workers' rights and obligations. These measures ensure that workers receive the necessary information and support throughout the employment process, facilitating a smooth pre-departure experience. The Omani delegation held official talks with the Philippine Department of Migrant Workers, where both sides reaffirmed their shared commitment to protecting workers and employers while promoting ethical employment practices. The two sides agreed to cooperate closely to ensure the success of this initiative in line with their mutual objectives. The Manila center is the first in a series of similar facilities Oman plans to establish in key labour-exporting countries, with additional centers expected to open shortly. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance labour mobility frameworks and safeguard the rights of workers and employers under Omani labour law. The project reflects the Omani government's steadfast commitment to providing high-quality, secure services for citizens and residents, ensuring business sustainability and promoting professional employment practices. The event was attended by Eng. Nasser bin Said al Manwari, Oman's Ambassador to the Republic of the Philippines, along with several officials from both sides.
Yemen Online
13-07-2025
- Politics
- Yemen Online
11 Filipino Seafarers Return Home After Surviving Houthi Attack Off Yemen's Coast
Aden – The Philippine Department of Migrant Workers announced late Saturday the safe return of 11 Filipino crew members from the Magic Seas cargo ship, which was violently attacked by Houthi militants while sailing near the Yemeni coast. Undersecretary Bernard Olalia stated during a press forum in Quezon City that the sailors arrived at Ninoy Aquino International Airport at 11 PM, completing the repatriation of all 17 rescued crew members from the targeted vessel. 'These men endured a traumatic and tragic ordeal that demands immediate care,' Olalia said, adding that the Philippine government will extend psychological and social support, alongside financial assistance and medical evaluations. The announcement comes as search operations continue for 13 missing sailors from the Eternity Seas vessel, which sank entirely following a similar Houthi attack in the Red Sea. The Magic Seas incident marked one of the earliest ship assaults in a wave of escalating maritime strikes linked to the war in Gaza. Houthi Militians claims these attacks are retaliation against alleged support for Israel, though international observers have condemned the operations as "reckless and criminal," warning of serious threats to global maritime security.
