Iran-backed Houthi militants in Yemen claimed to have captured multiple crew members from cargo ships on Thursday. They stated that they had secured these individuals after attacking a Greek-operated vessel, marking it as the second such incident recently. This vessel, initially referred to as a bulk carrier, encountered an assault on Sunday.
Using a novel “swarming” tactic, the Houthis launched a coordinated attack involving drones and rocket-propelled grenades from small boats, inflicting damage that forced the crew to abandon ship.
The cargo ship, *Eternal C*, sank on Wednesday after sustaining damage from a two-day bombardment by the Houthis. The European Union’s naval mission in the region reported that four crew members were rescued; however, as of Wednesday morning, 11 others remained unaccounted for. The ship had a total of 22 crew members, primarily from the Philippines, along with other security personnel.
The militants claimed they were assisting with the rescue and medical care of the crew and transporting them to safe locations.
Concerns have been raised regarding the wellbeing of those still detained by the Houthis. Ellie Shafik, a maritime risk assessment expert, emphasized that ensuring the safety and expeditious release of these individuals is vital.
The U.S. Embassy in Yemen condemned the Houthis for their actions and expressed alarm over the missing crew members, calling for their immediate release. They stated that the Houthis’ actions, including the killing of sailors and the sinking of ships, were indicative of their terrorist nature.
In January 2021, President Donald Trump designated the Houthis as a foreign terrorist organization. This label refers to their extremist group, known as Ansar Allah, characterized by provocative slogans. However, President Joe Biden revoked this designation shortly after taking office, aiming to facilitate humanitarian efforts in Yemen, a nation plagued by dire shortages of food and medical supplies due to the ongoing conflict.
Despite some disagreement within his administration regarding the reprieve of the Houthis’ terrorist designation, Biden has maintained his decision. Critics argue that this leniency allowed the Houthis to continue their aggressive actions, including attacks on civilian vessels, endangering maritime safety in the Red Sea.
After a period of relative calm, marked by an agreement to halt international shipping attacks, hostilities resumed abruptly. The Houthis have since escalated their attacks, employing more coordinated and effective strategies than previous assaults.
Restrictions on navigation and increased attacks have caused global shipping companies to hesitate when traversing the Red Sea. While some traffic had shown signs of recovery, it still suffered a significant decline since early July. A few shipping companies have adopted measures, such as announcing they have Chinese crews, to ensure safer passage.
