SANAA, July 9 (Xinhua) -- Yemen's Houthi armed forces claimed responsibility on Wednesday for the attack and sinking of the Eternity C, a Greek-owned bulk carrier in the Red Sea, marking the second vessel the group says it has sunk within four days.
According to the Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, the attack occurred on Monday, some 51 nautical miles west of Yemen's Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port city. The ship reportedly sank early Wednesday.
In a statement broadcast by Houthi-run al-Masirah TV, military spokesperson Yahya Sarea said the group targeted the vessel "with an unmanned boat and six cruise and ballistic missiles" while it was heading to the Israeli southern port of Eilat.
"A number of the crew of the targeted ship were rescued, provided with medical care, and transported to a safe location," Sarea said, but did not confirm whether any casualties occurred. A Yemeni government official told Xinhua on Tuesday that three mariners were killed and two others wounded.
"We affirm our continued prevention of Israeli shipping in the Red Sea, and in the Arabian Sea," Sarea said, warning all companies engaged with Israel that "their ships and crews will be targeted in any area our forces can reach, regardless of their destination."
He said the attacks were intended to pressure Israel and its allies to lift the blockade on Gaza and end the ongoing military campaign, vowing to carry out further strikes.
The Magic Seas, another bulk carrier, was attacked Sunday and sank the following day. With these incidents, the total number of commercial ships sunk by Houthi forces since November 2023 now stands at four. ■