In a significant development for the Filipino seafaring community, nine Filipino sailors have been released from detention in Yemen after nearly five months. They were part of a 10-member crew freed by the Houthi group on Wednesday, December 3, 2025.
Release and Safe Transfer to Oman
The sailors, who were held following the sinking of their cargo vessel, the Eternity C, are now safe. According to a report from Al-Masirah TV, the media channel operated by the Houthis, the crew's release was secured through Omani mediation. After their release in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, the group was transferred to Muscat, the capital of Oman.
An image released by the Houthi Media Center showed the sailors boarding a plane at Sanaa International Airport, marking the end of their prolonged captivity. The vessel they served on, the Liberian-flagged Eternity C, was attacked by Houthi missiles while sailing in the Red Sea.
The Attack and Sinking of the Eternity C
The incident that led to their detention began on July 7, 2025. The commercial cargo ship was navigating the Red Sea approximately 51 nautical miles west of Yemen's port city of Hodeidah when it came under fire. The Houthis claimed responsibility for the attack.
Two days after the strike, on July 9, the group announced that the Eternity C had completely sunk. They also stated at that time that several crew members had been moved to a safe location, which later turned into a months-long detention.
Background of Red Sea Tensions
This event is part of a broader pattern of maritime attacks in the region. Since November 2023, the Houthis have repeatedly targeted vessels in the Red Sea that they allege have links to Israel. These operations were framed as a response to the conflict between Hamas and the Israeli military in the Gaza Strip.
The group had previously halted its maritime attacks in October following an agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the war in Gaza. The release of the Eternity C crew, including the nine Filipinos, represents a positive diplomatic outcome amid these complex regional tensions, facilitated largely by Omani negotiators.
The safe release of the Filipino seafarers brings relief to their families and highlights the ongoing risks faced by international maritime crews in conflict zones. The Philippine government has yet to issue a detailed statement regarding their repatriation plans from Muscat.
