The vessel, operated by a Greek shipping company and carrying 25 crew members, came under heavy fire from rocket-propelled grenades launched from small Houthi boats on Monday. The ship lost power and drifted helplessly in the sea. The attack continued into Tuesday and search and rescue operations have been ongoing ever since.

According to the EU's Red Sea naval mission, Operation Aspides, five of the rescued sailors are from the Philippines and one is from India. The Philippine government confirmed that 21 of the crew members on board were Filipino nationals. A Russian crew member also suffered serious injuries and lost a leg in the assault.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack, stating the ship was headed for Israel. They also admitted to taking some of the crew to a "safe location", though the US embassy in Yemen accused them of kidnapping survivors and demanded their immediate release.

Second Ship Sunk in One Week

Just days earlier, on Sunday, the Houthis attacked another cargo ship — the Magic Seas, also Liberian-flagged and Greek-operated — using drones and missiles. The rebels claimed the ship belonged to a company that violated their ban on entering Israeli ports. Dramatic video released by the group showed fighters storming the ship and detonating explosives, causing it to sink. Thankfully, all 22 crew members were rescued by a nearby merchant vessel.

Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted nearly 70 merchant ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, using missiles, drones, and speedboats. Four ships have been sunk, one has been seized and at least seven sailors have been killed in the ongoing attacks.

The Houthis, backed by Iran, say they are targeting ships with ties to Israel, the US, or the UK in response to the war in Gaza. However, experts and officials point out that many of the ships attacked have had no clear links to those nations.

Global Condemnation and Calls for Action

The United States strongly condemned the latest incidents, warning that Houthi attacks continue to threaten global trade and freedom of navigation. The US and EU naval missions have been actively working to rescue crews and stabilize the situation at sea. On Thursday, Israel’s military said it intercepted a missile launched from Yemen, suggesting the threat remains active.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has called for urgent diplomatic efforts to end the violence. "Innocent seafarers and local populations are the main victims of these attacks," said IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, warning of the human cost and environmental risks.

As the crisis deepens, the maritime world watches anxiously, hoping for a swift return to peace — and the safety of those who risk their lives at sea.