Aden (South24 center)

The United States on Wednesday (July 9) accused the Houthi militia of kidnapping several surviving crew members of the commercial vessel ‘Eternity C’ after launching a deadly attack on the Liberian-flagged cargo ship on Monday night in the Red Sea that resulted in the sinking of the ship and the deaths of four sailors.

In an official statement released today, the U.S. Embassy in Yemen said: “After killing their shipmates, sinking their ship, and hampering rescue efforts, the Houthi terrorists have kidnapped many surviving crew members of the Eternity C. We call for their immediate and unconditional safe release.”   

The embassy added “The Houthis continue to show the world why the United States was right to label them a terrorist organization.”   

The Eternity C, a Liberia-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier, came under attack on Monday night, approximately 50 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Hodeidah port, according to maritime security sources. The vessel was hit by six explosive-laden drones and a remote-controlled boat, as claimed by the Houthis.  The ship eventually lost propulsion and sank.   

At least four crew members were confirmed dead, two others were injured, and several remain unaccounted for. The crew included 21 Filipinos and one Russian, along with a private security detail. Rescue operations are ongoing amid increasing concern for those missing.   

The incident marks one of the deadliest maritime attacks attributed to the Houthis since the escalation in the Red Sea began in late 2023.   

Just a day earlier, the Houthis had attacked the ‘Magic Seas’, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier. The group released a video on Tuesday showing the moment the vessel was struck and later sank. The company operating the vessel confirmed the sinking as well. An Emirati ship was able to rescue the surviving crew following the attack.   

These latest assaults underscore a renewed wave of escalation by the Houthi militia against international maritime traffic, after a relative lull in major attacks since December 2024.   

On Wednesday, the Houthi militia formally claimed responsibility for the attack. In a televised statement, Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree announced that the group’s naval forces were behind the operation, which he said resulted in the complete sinking of the vessel.   

He added, “After the operation, special forces from the naval units moved to rescue several crew members, provide them with medical assistance, and transferred them to a safe location.” Saree claimed the mission was documented with audio and video recordings.  

WATCH: The moment the Houthi militia sank the ship ‘Eternity C’ in the Red Sea. 

On Tuesday, July 8, the US condemned the Houthi attacks on the two ships. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, in a statement, said the attacks demonstrate the threat that the Iran-backed Houthis pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security. 

She said the United States ‘’will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks’’.