As search for missing sailors ends, Houthis promise fighting against Israel will continue until it is ‘erased from the map’

According to shipping news site Trade Winds, maritime security firms Ambrey and Diaplous have ceased searches for the missing crew members of the Eternity C shipping vessel, which was attacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea over a week ago. 

A statement released by the two security firms said, “The decision to end the search has been taken by the vessels Owner reluctantly but it believes that, in all the circumstances, the priority must now be to get the 10 souls safely recovered alive ashore.” 

While 10 crew members were recovered alive from the attack, 4 crew members are believed to have been killed, and the remaining 11 were listed as missing. The U.S. Embassy in Yemen accused the Iranian-backed Houthis of kidnapping some of the vessel’s crew shortly after the incident. 

The sinking of the Eternity C came just days after attacks on the Magic Seas, as it passed through the Red Sea waters off the coast of Houthi-controlled territory in Yemen. The attacks on the two vessels mark a return to direct attacks on shipping in the Red Sea by the Houthis as part of the Iranian proxy’s support for Hamas in Gaza. 

Between November 2023 and the sinking of these two vessels, the Houthis have launched attacks on over 100 ships. The targeting off shipping vessels caused shipping in the critical waterway of the Red Sea and the Suez Canal to drop significantly, as companies opted for the longer route around the continent of Africa in order to avoid the attacks. 

While the rebels appeared to pause attacks following an agreement reached with the U.S. earlier this year, the terror group has stated previously that it would continue to target the vessels of any companies doing business with Israel. 

In a recent interview with Ynet News, a Houthi official, who remains anonymous due to the prohibition of contact with any Israeli entity, said the Houthis are not interested in a diplomatic agreements, wishing to see the removal of Israel from the Middle East. 

Asked what the Houthis want from Israel, the official responded, “We want only one thing from the Zionist entity: to leave the Arab land of Palestine.” 

The official also said, the Houthis “believe this is an existential struggle – faith against heresy, the oppressed against the oppressors. We will prevail. We want Israel erased and Al-Aqsa Mosque purified. This is God’s promise to His servants.” 

The official denied that the recent military successes of Israel have altered its determination in any way. 

“We are part of the Axis of Jerusalem and will continue supporting the Palestinian resistance – politically, militarily, and morally – until our greater goal is achieved: dismantling and destroying the Zionist entity from all fronts – Lebanon, Iraq, Yemen, and Syria,” he stated. 

He also stated that the group will not restrict itself to attacking Israel, “Jews are a legitimate target for us. Soon you’ll hear of our attacks.” 

Despite the apparent setback to the Iranian proxy strategy, the Ansar Allah official praised the group’s relationship with Iran. 

“We are not ashamed of our alliance with Iran – we’re proud of it,” he said. “They are our model. Our relationship is one of religious and strategic brotherhood, based on supporting the oppressed. It is a relationship of faith and loyalty to Ayatollahs Khomeini and Khamenei. Iran is our strategic ally in confronting the American-Zionist hegemony. Iran will help us erase Israel from the map.” 

“We are building strength and preparing for the day we march on Al-Aqsa,” he continued. “Our slogan, ‘Death to America, death to Israel,’ is not just a slogan – it’s a way of life, from the beginning of the Quran until we liberate Jerusalem and return the rights of the people.” 

The official issued a warning to Israeli citizens, telling them to “leave the land of Canaan and return to your homes.”