Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released 11 mariners held since a July attack on the ship Eternity C in the Red Sea, an assault that killed four on board and sank the vessel.

The Iranian-backed Houthis have been targeting ships during the Israel-Hamas war.

They said Wednesday that Oman had taken custody of the mariners.

Oman later said it received the 11 mariners from India and the Philippines, in preparation for their return to their home countries.

Manila and the U.S. have described the mariners as being held hostage since the attack.

The Houthis described their forces as rescuing the men after they abandoned the crippled ship and contended the men were "guests, not detainees.”