Houthis Detain 10 Crew Members from Sunken Cargo Ship Near Yemen

Yemen’s Houthi group has announced the detention of 10 crew members from the cargo ship MV Tutor (Eternity C), which the group attacked and sank earlier this month in the Red Sea.

The Eternity C, a Liberian-flagged vessel operated by a Greek shipping company, is the second ship to sink off the Yemeni coast in July after repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks. Another Greek-operated vessel, MV True Confidence (Magic C), sank just days prior.

The government of the Philippines confirmed that nine of the rescued crew members are Filipino nationals. According to Migrant Workers Secretary Hans Cacdac, the seafarers are in “good physical condition” based on accounts from their families. He said efforts are underway to secure their release and safe return.

Following the attack, the crew and three armed guards abandoned the Eternity C. A privately-led rescue mission saved 10 individuals, but five others remain missing and are feared dead due to the assault.

Maritime security sources told Reuters that 10 other individuals are believed to be in Houthi custody.

On Monday, the Houthis released a six-minute video showing the detained crew members speaking with their families. The footage also included testimonies that the crew was unaware of the maritime blockade imposed by the Houthis on ships headed to Israeli ports. The vessel was reportedly en route to Eilat Port to load fertilizer.

As part of what the Houthis are calling the "fourth phase" of their military operations, the group declared Sunday that they would target any vessel operated by companies doing business with Israeli ports, regardless of flag or nationality.

In response to the escalating attacks, Greece announced it will deploy a rescue vessel to the Red Sea to aid maritime incidents and safeguard seafarers and international shipping routes.