Houthi militants have escalated their maritime attacks in the Red Sea with two devastating strikes against Greek-managed cargo ships that resulted in deaths and significant disruption to global shipping routes. The Iran-backed rebel group targeted the Eternity C and Magic Seas vessels, resulting in at least four confirmed deaths and 14 missing crew members from the Eternity C, marking the first casualties from Red Sea shipping attacks since June 2024. What security measures can effectively counter Houthi maritime attacks in the Red Sea?
Deadly Attacks Disrupt Critical Shipping Routes
Houthi militants have launched deadly attacks on two Greek-managed cargo ships in the Red Sea, sinking both vessels and causing the first shipping-related deaths in the region since June 2024. The Eternity C attack left four crew members dead—one Russian and three Filipinos—while 14 others remain missing, and only seven crew members were successfully rescued from the waters off Yemen’s Houthi-controlled port city of Hodeidah.
The second vessel, Magic Seas, was also attacked and sunk, though all 22 crew members were saved when a passing commercial ship conducted a rescue operation. Both targeted ships flew Liberian flags and were operated by Greek firms, with the Houthis claiming they were heading toward Israeli ports when attacked with sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades.
BREAKING:
The Houthis have published a video of their attack against the Greek-owned bulk carrier Eternity C.
The killed a number of Filipino sailors and took several more hostage.
This video shows the ship sinking earlier today pic.twitter.com/Ze2DyWTUxq
— Visegrád 24 (@visegrad24) July 9, 2025
Houthis Publish Footage While Claiming Responsibility
The Houthi rebels openly claimed responsibility for these attacks, with their military spokesperson Yahya Saree declaring, “The naval force of the Yemeni armed forces targeted the ship.” They published shocking video footage showing the moment explosive charges detonated against the Magic Seas hull, causing the massive 650-foot vessel to sink rapidly into the Red Sea.
These attacks mark a troubling resumption of Houthi maritime aggression following a brief pause that coincided with Gaza ceasefire negotiations in December 2024. The Iran-aligned rebel group has targeted over 100 vessels since November 2023 as part of what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians, specifically threatening ships they believe are connected to Israel.
"Yemen's Houthis sank a Greek-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea for violating the Israeli blockade."
YEMEN 🇾🇪✌️ pic.twitter.com/AffOusAjQd— Volkan Albistan (@valbistan) July 8, 2025
International Response and Security Concerns
The United States has strongly condemned these attacks, with State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stating, “These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security.” The EU’s Aspides naval mission confirmed its participation in rescue operations, successfully retrieving six people from the sea after the Eternity C attack.
Leading shipping associations have called for enhanced maritime security measures as traffic through this vital waterway continues to decline due to the ongoing threat. The Red Sea represents a crucial passage for global oil and commodity shipments, with these disruptions potentially affecting international supply chains and raising shipping costs for goods moving between Asia, Europe, and beyond.
Greek officials are reportedly in discussions with Saudi Arabia regarding the incidents, while rescue operations continue with diminishing hope for the 14 missing Eternity C crew members. A Greek maritime risk management firm representative stated, “We will continue to search for the remaining crew until the last light. We aim at a peaceful operation.”