Philippines Requests Help From 9 Seafarers Detained By Yemen's Houthis

Illustration of cargo ships. (Hennie Stander-Unsplash)

JAKARTA - The Philippines is asking for the help of the international community to help free 9 sailors detained by the Houthi group.

Philippine Deputy Foreign Minister Eduardo De Vega has confirmed the detention of 9 Filipino sailors or crew members by Yemen-based Houthis.

"I don't want to use the term hostage. At least we know they are still alive," he told AFP, Tuesday, July 29 local time.

"We will not speak directly to the Houthis. We will seek help from friendly countries," he added.

The Houthis said on Monday 29 July that they had attacked cargo ships Eternity C and Magic Seas that passed through Yemen's waters.

The Houthis said on Monday 29 July that they had attacked cargo ships Eternity C and Magic Seas that passed through Yemen's waters.

The European Union Operations Aspides Task Force said 15 of the 25 people who were crew members of the Eternity C were missing. They suspect four sailors have died.

Meanwhile, Cosmoship, owner of Eternity C, urged the Houthis on Tuesday to immediately release its crew.

However, Cosmoship said it was relieved that 10 of its crew members who were declared missing, as well as one of the ship's security guards, were still alive and undergoing treatment by the Houthis. This was discovered after the Houthis released a video recording of the crew's condition.

In his statement, the Houthis claimed to have rescued the crew of the cargo ships Eternity C and Magic Seas, not committing violence.