Latest news with #Eternity
GMA Network
14-07-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
DFA Chief to Pinoy sailors: Avoid Red Sea
Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro appealed to Filipino seafarers to avoid sailing to the Red Sea. (Photo by Michaela del Callar) Foreign Affairs Secretary Theresa Lazaro on Monday appealed to Filipino seafarers to avoid sailing to the Red Sea following the back-to-back deadly attacks against two cargo vessels by Houthi rebels. Both the MV Magic Seas and the MV Eternity, attacked by the Iran-backed Yemeni group a day apart, were manned by Filipino crew. The two ships sank off the Red Sea – a key trade route. 'We encourage our Filipino sailors to avoid sailing in the Red Sea while the situation remains dangerous,' Lazaro said in a press briefing. All 17 Filipino seamen from the Magic Sea survived the assault, while eight were rescued from the Eternity, including the Filipino captain. The fate of the rest of the 13 of the 21 Filipinos from the Eternity was unknown amid reports that the rebels took several hostages from the sunken vessel. Houthis have repeatedly targeted ships it claims have links to Israel and have vowed to step up attacks until the country ends its aggression in Gaza. Lazaro said the DFA and its diplomatic posts, along with the Department of Migrant Workers, are coordinating with relevant agencies for the rescue of the missing Filipinos. Manila is also in touch with Saudi Arabia and the UK, as well as the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), she added. 'The DFA continues to advocate for the rights, safety, and decent conditions for our seafarers,' Lazaro said. Piracy and ransom kidnappings of Filipino sailors, particularly in waters off Africa, have long been a problem for the Philippine government, as it cannot monitor their movements when at sea. The Philippines is one of the world's largest providers of shipping manpower. A bulk of Filipino seamen or more than 20 percent of the world's 1.2 million sailors are manning oil tankers, cargo ships, luxury liners, and passenger vessels worldwide, exposing them to attacks. —LDF, GMA Integrated News
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Trump needs to act fast as Houthis launch killing spree, attacking and sinking ships in the Red Sea
Tensions are rising again in the Red Sea. Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a cargo ship. Several crew members died in the assault. The European Union blames Houthis for the attack on the Greek-owned vessel. The US Embassy calls it the most violent attack to date. A previous ceasefire only covered US ships. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Houthis Resume Attacks in the Red Sea After Months of Lull EU Naval Mission Blames Houthis for Attack on Cargo Vessel US Embassy Says 'Most Violent Attack to Date' Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads March Bombing Campaign Led to Temporary Ceasefire Ceasefire Only Covered US Ships, Leaving Others Exposed US Forces May Be Pulled Back Into Red Sea Conflict FAQs Tensions in the Red Sea have started again, as Iran-backed Houthi rebels attacked a commercial cargo ship this week and killed several crew members on another ship, which was the Houthis' first deadly assault on shipping this year, as per a European Union's defensive counter-Houthi mission called Operation Aspides accused the Houthis of an attack on Monday against the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo vessel, as reported by Business Insider. An Aspides official shared that four speedboats that were carrying armed personnel approached the vessel and fired on it with rocket-propelled grenades, and the Houthis also used uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, against the Eternity, according to the READ: Billionaires ditch Nvidia for this AI stock that's soared 2,000% since 2023 The official revealed that the attack killed three crew members and injured about two others and left the Eternity adrift in the Red Sea, as reported by Business the Houthis have not yet taken responsibility for the latest attack, but the US Embassy in Yemen, which operates out of Saudi Arabia because of security reasons, said that it was the rebels' "most violent attack to date" and added that they are "once again showing blatant disregard for human life," as quoted in the READ: Trump's silent economic war on China: How he's cornering Xi Jinping one nation at a time The rebels attack comes after the Houthis were relatively quiet during the first half of the year, according to Business Insider. The US military had started a weeks-long bombing campaign against the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, and American forces struck more than 1,000 targets in a matter of weeks in March, as per the report. The Then the Trump administration reached a ceasefire with the Houthis in May and brought an end to what was called Operation Rough Rider, as reported by Business READ: Craving McDonald's snack wraps? They are back — with bold new flavors you need to try But the agreement with US president Donald Trump's administration only prevented the Houthis from attacking US ships, according to the report. So, in recent weeks, the rebels have continued to fire long-range drones and missiles at Israel, as per Business Insider. While Israel's military retaliated on Sunday with airstrikes against Houthi infrastructure across Yemen, as reported by Business Houthis' ability to continue attacks against Israel and the latest Red Sea operations indicated that the rebel group still retains some military capabilities, even after the intense US bombing campaign, according to the report. The renewed tensions in the Red Sea could risk drawing US naval forces, which have expended hundreds of missiles and bombs fighting the rebels, back into the Red Sea conflict, as reported by Business READ: The Magnificent Seven just lost Tesla and Apple - these 2 surging tech stocks are taking over fast They're an Iran-backed rebel group from Yemen involved in a long-running regional conflict, now targeting international shipping, as per the officially yet, but the US and EU strongly believe they are responsible, as per the Business Insider report.
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Three dead in Red Sea attack as Houthis resume campaign
DUBAI: An ongoing attack on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea has killed three people, an EU maritime force said Tuesday, after Yemen's Houthi rebels resumed their campaign against shipping in the vital waterway. The Eternity, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, had been badly damaged and was under 'continuous attack' since Monday in waters off Yemen, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said. 'The vessel has sustained significant damage and has lost all propulsion,' UKMTO, which is run by the British navy, said in a statement. 'The vessel is surrounded by small craft and is under continuous attack.' Operation Aspides, the European Union military force deployed in the Red Sea in response to the Houthis' attacks on shipping, told AFP that 'the chief engineer, an oiler and an engine cadet' were killed. It also reported 'at least two injured, including a Russian electrician who lost a leg'. All but one of the 22 crew are Filipino, according to Philippines officials. The US embassy in Yemen in a statement on X accused the Houthis of staging the attack on Eternity, describing it as 'the most violent' yet and accusing the group of 'undermining freedom of navigation in the Red Sea' — the main goal of a May truce between Washington and the group. While the Iran-backed Houthis did not claim responsibility, it comes after the group struck another cargo ship, the Magic Seas, on Sunday — their first such action this year. The two incidents in quick succession raised fears of a return to regular Houthi attacks on a vital shipping route that previously carried about 12 percent of global trade. They also come as the United States pushes for fresh nuclear talks with Iran, the Houthis' powerful backer, following the 12-day war with Israel. Mohammed Albasha, of the US-based Basha Report Risk Advisory, said the rebels may be trying to exert pressure on the United States and Israel. 'The (Magic Seas) attack could be intended as a subtle message to both Washington and Tel Aviv that Iran's allied groups remain capable and active,' he said. 'The message is clear. The Houthis still have the ability to disrupt and are carefully choosing when to act,' he added. 'Axis' leader On Monday, the Houthis said they used unmanned boats, missiles and drones against the Magic Seas, their first attack on a cargo vessel this year. All 22 people aboard the Greek-owned carrier were rescued on Monday. The Houthis said the vessel had sunk. The rebels, who have controlled large swathes of Yemen for more than a decade, began targeting Israel and ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden after the Gaza war broke out in October 2023. The attacks have forced many freight companies to detour around southern Africa to avoid the Red Sea, normally the fastest route between Asia and Europe. The Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Palestinians, paused their anti-ship campaign in January during a ceasefire in Gaza. They later came under weeks of heavy US bombardment aimed at preventing a resumption of their attacks, before striking a ceasefire. The rebels had previously told AFP they would continue targeting 'Israeli ships' despite the US truce, which was meant to guarantee freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Israel, stung by regular Houthi missile attacks, has carried out several strikes on Yemen, including a wave of air raids on Sunday. Nadwa Dawsari, of the Middle East Institute think tank, said that although the Houthis say they are fighting for the Palestinians, the Red Sea campaign 'is bigger than Gaza' for the rebels. 'These strikes boost their regional standing, fuel their narrative and advance their goal of becoming the new leader of the 'Axis of Resistance', all while reinforcing Iran's broader regional agenda,' she posted on X.
NZ Herald
08-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Houthi rebels resume Red Sea attacks, killing three on cargo ship
An ongoing attack on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea has killed three people, an EU maritime force said Tuesday, after Yemen's Houthi rebels resumed their campaign against shipping in the vital waterway. The Eternity, a Liberian-flagged bulk carrier, had been badly damaged and was under 'continuous attack' since
Business Insider
08-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Insider
Red Sea attacks are back. The Houthis are again sinking ships and killing crews.
The Iran-backed Houthis have restarted their Red Sea attacks after months of relative calm, with two fresh assaults that sank a commercial vessel and killed several crew members on another ship. Operation Aspides, the European Union's defensive counter-Houthi mission, blamed the rebels for an attack on Monday against the Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo vessel. It marks a major escalation that could reignite the Red Sea conflict. An Aspides official told Business Insider that four speedboats carrying armed personnel approached the vessel and fired on it with rocket-propelled grenades. They said the Houthis also used uncrewed aerial vehicles, or drones, against the Eternity. The attack killed three crew members and injured at least two others, and left the Eternity adrift in the Red Sea, the official said Tuesday. It marked the Houthis' first deadly assault on shipping this year. Several civilians were killed in 2024 attacks. The Houthis have not yet claimed responsibility for the attack, but the US Embassy in Yemen, which operates out of Saudi Arabia due to security concerns, called it the rebels' "most violent attack to date" and said they are "once again showing blatant disregard for human life." Publicly available tracking data showed the Greek-owned Eternity C off the coast of Yemen as of Monday. The attack on the Eternity C came a day after a separate attack on the Magic Seas, another Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo vessel. The British military's United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations, the UKMTO, reported an attack against a vessel on Sunday by small boats that opened fire with small arms and RPGs. A Houthi spokesperson later said the rebels used missiles and drones in their assault on the Magic Seas, scored a direct hit, and sank it. The European Union said the attack "endangered the lives of the crew, who had to be evacuated, and risked a major ecological disaster in the region, as the vessel is currently drifting and at risk of sinking." "It is the first such attack against a commercial vessel in 2025," the EU said in a statement on the situation, calling it "a serious escalation endangering maritime security in a vital waterway for the region and the world." On Tuesday, the Houthis published footage showing them appearing to detonate explosives onboard the abandoned Magic Seas, which took on water and slipped under the water. It's the third ship that the rebels have sunk. The dual attacks using small boats and small arms reflect notably different tactics for the Houthis compared to their traditional operations. Between October 2023 and December 2024, the rebels routinely used drones and missiles to attack civilian and military ships in the Red Sea and the adjacent Gulf of Aden. The US and NATO deployed warships to the region to defend the vital maritime routes from the Houthi attacks, which the rebels have stated are in response to Israel's ongoing war against Hamas. Aspides said the Eternity did not request any escort or protection ahead of the ill-fated Red Sea transit. The Houthis were relatively quiet during the first half of the year. In March, the US military began a weekslong bombing campaign against the Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, and American forces struck over 1,000 targets in a matter of weeks. The Trump administration reached a ceasefire with the Houthis in May, bringing an end to what was called Operation Rough Rider. However, the agreement only prevented the Houthis from attacking US ships. The rebels have continued to fire long-range drones and missiles at Israel in recent weeks. Israel's military retaliated on Sunday with airstrikes against Houthi infrastructure across Yemen. The Houthis' ability to continue attacks against Israel and the latest Red Sea operations suggest that the group still retains some military capabilities, despite the intense US bombing campaign. Renewed tensions could risk drawing US naval forces — which have expended hundreds of missiles and bombs fighting the rebels — back into the conflict.
