The U.S. Mission to Yemen reported that the Houthi militia has taken crew members hostage following an attack on the Liberian-flagged cargo vessel, Eternity C, in the Red Sea. The attack has raised concerns about maritime security and the impact of such hostilities on global shipping routes.
# Hostage Situation Escalates: Houthi Militants Attack Liberian Cargo Ship
# Hostage Situation Escalates: Houthi Militants Attack Liberian Cargo Ship
Yemen's Houthi militia claims responsibility for an attack on a cargo ship, resulting in hostages and fatalities amidst ongoing regional tensions.
Yemen’s Houthi militia has claimed responsibility for the hostage situation involving the crew of the cargo ship Eternity C, which they attacked earlier this week. The incident marks a notable escalation in hostilities within the tumultuous region. The U.S. Mission to Yemen voiced concerns over the safety of the hostages, calling for their immediate and unconditional release.
According to reports, the Houthis launched an assault on the ship using cruise and ballistic missiles, alleging it was en route to an Israeli port, an assertion that has not been independently verified. Liberian officials stated that at least two crew members lost their lives due to the attack, which has only added to the calamity of the situation.
Yahya al-Sarea, a Houthi military spokesperson, stated that their group subsequently rescued some crew members, offering them medical assistance and transporting them to safety. However, the details regarding the number of crew members taken and their whereabouts remain unclear. In a previous incident in 2023, the Houthis held a different vessel's crew hostage for over a year, raising fears of a similar protracted situation this time around.
Additionally, senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti referred to the situation, expressing that the group is invested in the safety of sailors while refraining from commenting on the specifics of the recent attack. The international community continues to monitor developments, reflecting on how such actions can reverberate through shipping logistics and geopolitical relations in the region.
According to reports, the Houthis launched an assault on the ship using cruise and ballistic missiles, alleging it was en route to an Israeli port, an assertion that has not been independently verified. Liberian officials stated that at least two crew members lost their lives due to the attack, which has only added to the calamity of the situation.
Yahya al-Sarea, a Houthi military spokesperson, stated that their group subsequently rescued some crew members, offering them medical assistance and transporting them to safety. However, the details regarding the number of crew members taken and their whereabouts remain unclear. In a previous incident in 2023, the Houthis held a different vessel's crew hostage for over a year, raising fears of a similar protracted situation this time around.
Additionally, senior Houthi official Mohammed al-Bukhaiti referred to the situation, expressing that the group is invested in the safety of sailors while refraining from commenting on the specifics of the recent attack. The international community continues to monitor developments, reflecting on how such actions can reverberate through shipping logistics and geopolitical relations in the region.
