• Three crew members killed in Houthi attack on Liberian-flagged Eternity C.
• A second attack on the Magic Seas also resulted in a sinking, raising regional security concerns.
• Rescue operations ongoing, but several crew members remain missing.
• The U.S. and EU condemn the Houthi attacks, raising fears of wider conflict.
• Houthi rebels have claimed the vessels were targeted due to connections with Israel.

In the latest escalation of maritime tensions, Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the Liberian-flagged cargo ship Eternity C, resulting in the deaths of three crew members and wounding two others, all while the ship was heading toward the Suez Canal. The vessel was struck by missiles and drones on Monday, prompting immediate condemnation from the European Union and the U.S. State Department, which labeled the rebels' actions as a blatant disregard for human life and a threat to freedom of navigation, according to Al Jazeera, Los Angeles Times, and Le Monde.

The Houthi faction has claimed responsibility for the assault, asserting it was part of a campaign to intimidate ships associated with Israeli interests amidst the ongoing Gaza conflict. On Tuesday, they released footage purportedly showing their forces attacking another vessel, the Magic Seas, which subsequently sank after being targeted with drones and missile fire. This represents a significant escalation in maritime violence, echoing their prior campaign between late 2023 and 2024, in which they attacked over 100 ships, as detailed by Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, and South China Morning Post.

Rescue operations are underway, with reports indicating that of the original crew of 25, only six have been rescued, while eleven remain missing, some believed to be held by the Houthis. The United States has accused the rebels of obstructing rescue efforts and purportedly kidnapping the survivors, alongside reiterating a commitment to ensure the safety of commercial shipping in the Red Sea, as conveyed by Le Monde, Al Jazeera, and India Times.

The situation has raised alarms about maritime safety in the historically crucial Red Sea route, which typically facilitates about $1 trillion in global trade annually. The renewed Houthi attacks have prompted calls for enhanced maritime security measures from various shipping industry stakeholders, highlighting the need for international response to these threats, especially given the strategic importance of the region, as reported by Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, and Al Jazeera.