Latest news with #UnitedKingdomMaritimeTradeOperations
Qatar Tribune
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Qatar Tribune
Houthis release video of sinking ship as tensions simmer in Red Sea
dpa Sana'a Yemen's Houthi rebels have released dramatic video footage showing the bulk carrier Magic Seas sinking in the Red Sea, further escalating tensions in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes. The video shows multiple explosions hitting the 200-meter-long, Liberia-flagged vessel, which then slowly submerges beneath the waves. The Houthi military claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday and said it used drone boats and explosive devices attached to the ship's hull. The EU's Operation Atalanta, monitoring piracy in the Indian Ocean, confirmed that the attackers approached in small boats and that the ship's 22-member crew abandoned the vessel after a fire broke out. All of them were later rescued by a nearby merchant ship, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency. Senior Houthi official Ali al-Dailami described the attack as a 'clear message of deterrence' aimed at countries and companies doing business with Israel. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have targeted commercial ships that they say have Israeli ties. Later on Wednesday, the Houthis also claimed said they had sunk another cargo vessel, the Eternity C, which they said was en route to the Israeli port of Eilat. They claimed that the operation involved six ballistic and cruise missiles, plus an unmanned boat. They vowed to continue their naval campaign until the Gaza blockade is lifted and Israeli operations cease.
Euronews
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Rescuers search for survivors after deadly Houthi attack in Red Sea
Five sailors have been rescued in the Red Sea after the Iran-backed Houthis attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, killing at least three of its crew members and wounding several others. The Yemeni rebels first targeted the Greek-owned vessel Eternity C on Monday evening, according to European and US officials. The ship had been making its way north towards the Suez Canal before it came under attack from drones and armed men in small boats. In an advisory, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said that 'search and rescue operations commenced overnight' on Wednesday to help those who had been travelling onboard. Five crew members have been rescued so far, the UKMTO said. Although the ship status could not be immediately confirmed, reports on Wednesday suggested that it had sunk. The Houthi attack against the Eternity C came shortly after the rebel group, which controls much of northern and western Yemen, targeted the cargo vessel the Magic Seas on Sunday. After its crew was rescued, the Magic Seas sank earlier this week. Both attacks happened in the same area roughly 100 kilometres southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which the Houthis control. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US State Department condemned the recent events in the Red Sea. 'The United States condemns the unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured and the complete loss of the MV Magic Seas and its cargo,' it said. 'These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security,' the statement added. The assaults mark the first Houthi attacks in the important maritime corridor since last year. The group began targeting ships there in late 2023 over Israel's war in Gaza.
The Hill
09-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
US condemns Houthi attacks on cargo ships in Red Sea
The United States has condemned a pair of recent Houthi rebel attacks on cargo ships in the Red Sea, warning that the escalation by the Iran-backed militants in Yemen risks jeopardizing freedom of navigation and 'maritime security.' 'The United States condemns the unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured and the complete loss of the MV Magic Seas and its cargo,' State Department spokespersson Tammy Bruce said in a statement on Tuesday. 'These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security,' Bruce added. Houthi rebels attacked a Greek-owned Eternity C bulk carrier on Monday, according to authorities. A search and rescue operation took place overnight, rescuing five crew members as the search continues for others, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center, operated by the British military, said in an advisory notice on Monday. The vessel was going toward the Suez Canal. UKMTO said that the ship sustained 'significant damage and has lost all propulsion,' adding it was attacked by 'multiple rocket propelled grenades from small craft.' On Sunday, the Liberian-flagged Magic Seas ship came under fire from the Houthis, with the crew abandoning the vessel, which ended up sinking in the Red Sea. The attacks come roughly five months after the U.S. military began striking the Houthi rebels in Yemen over the group's attacks on vessels passing through the Red Sea. 'The United States has been clear: we will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping from Houthi terrorist attacks, which must be condemned by all members of the international community,' Bruce said.
Euronews
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Euronews
Rescue operation underway after deadly Houthi attack in Red Sea
Five sailors have been rescued in the Red Sea after the Iran-backed Houthis attacked a Liberian-flagged cargo ship, killing at least three of its crew members and wounding several others. The Yemeni rebels first targeted the Greek-owned vessel Eternity C on Monday evening, according to European and US officials. The ship had been making its way north towards the Suez Canal before it came under attack from drones and armed men in small boats. In an advisory, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre said that 'search and rescue operations commenced overnight' on Wednesday to help those who had been travelling onboard. Five crew members have been rescued so far, the UKMTO said. Although the ship status could not be immediately confirmed, reports on Wednesday suggested that it had sunk. The Houthi attack against the Eternity C came shortly after the rebel group, which controls much of northern and western Yemen, targeted the cargo vessel the Magic Seas on Sunday. After its crew was rescued, the Magic Seas sank earlier this week. Both attacks happened in the same area roughly 100 kilometres southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeida, which the Houthis control. In a statement issued on Tuesday, the US State Department condemned the recent events in the Red Sea. 'The United States condemns the unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C in the Red Sea, which resulted in the tragic loss of three mariners, with many others injured and the complete loss of the MV Magic Seas and its cargo,' it said. 'These attacks demonstrate the ongoing threat that Iran-backed Houthi rebels pose to freedom of navigation and to regional economic and maritime security,' the statement added. The assaults mark the first Houthi attacks in the important maritime corridor since last year. The group began targeting ships there in late 2023 over Israel's war in Gaza.
Daily Tribune
09-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Tribune
Bahrain Praises UAE's Red Sea Rescue Efforts
The Kingdom of Bahrain has expressed deep appreciation for the efforts of the United Arab Emirates in rescuing the crew of the motor vessel Magic Seas after it came under attack in the Red Sea. In a statement, Bahrain's Ministry of Foreign Affairs praised the UAE's quick and responsible humanitarian action, carried out in close coordination with international maritime authorities, including the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO). The Ministry strongly condemned the attack, which targeted a British commercial ship and its civilian crew, calling it a dangerous threat to international shipping, global trade, and the marine environment. Bahrain stressed the need for stronger regional and international cooperation to protect maritime routes, ensure the safety of sailors, and maintain peace and stability in the region. The Kingdom reaffirmed its commitment to upholding international law and conventions that guarantee safe navigation and promote global security.
