Seafarers Set Free After Red Sea Ship Attack

In a recent turn of events, the crew members of a cargo ship that was attacked and sunk in the Red Sea have been released. The ship, named Eternity C, was operated by a Greek company and flew the Liberian flag. It was targeted by Yemen's Houthi rebels in July, leading to its eventual sinking. The crew, consisting of nine Filipinos, one Russian, and one Indian, abandoned the ship before it went down. They were rescued from the Red Sea, but the Houthis claimed to have detained some of them, including a security guard. The United States Mission in Yemen condemned this action, labeling it as a kidnapping and demanding the crew's immediate and unconditional release. The Houthis' attack on the Eternity C was not an isolated incident. Just days before, they had targeted another ship, the Magic Seas. Fortunately, all crew members of the Magic Seas were rescued before their ship sank. These attacks are part of a broader campaign by the Iran-aligned Houthis. They have targeted over 100 ships from November 2023 to December 2024, citing solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza war. The release of the Eternity C crew is a positive development, but it also raises questions about the safety of maritime routes in the Red Sea. With the Houthis' campaign showing no signs of slowing down, it is crucial for international bodies to take action to ensure the safety of seafarers and the security of global trade routes.