Sanaa, Yemen – The Houthis in Yemen have released the crew of the Eternity C, a Greek-operated cargo ship that sank in the Red Sea in July following repeated attacks by the group, according to a ship operator official and a maritime security source who spoke with Reuters on Wednesday.
The crew abandoned the Liberia-flagged vessel after it was repeatedly targeted by Houthi forces using sea drones and rocket-propelled grenades. Rescuers managed to save the crew from the sea, but they were subsequently detained by the Houthis, including a security guard. The US Mission in Yemen condemned the group’s actions as “kidnapping” and demanded the immediate release of the seafarers.
The released crew, consisting of nine Filipino seafarers, one Russian, and one Indian national, are expected to depart Yemen and arrive in Oman later on Wednesday, according to Cosmoship Management.
This incident follows a pattern of attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea. Days before the Eternity C incident, the group also attacked the ship Magic Seas, whose crew was rescued before the vessel sank.
These attacks are part of a renewed campaign by the Iran-aligned fighters, who have targeted over 100 ships between November 2023 and December 2024, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
