Crew members of a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, Magic Seas, were forced to abandon ship in the Red Sea on Sunday night after a series of attacks left the vessel ablaze and taking on water.
According to AP News, the incident is suspected to be the work of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, though the group has yet to formally claim responsibility.
According to the British military’s UK Maritime Trade Operations centre, the vessel was initially attacked by small arms and rocket-propelled grenades approximately 100 kilometres southwest of Hodeidah, a port controlled by the Houthis. Security personnel on board reportedly returned fire.
Private security firm Ambrey later reported that the ship had also been hit by two bomb-laden drone boats, potentially marking a dangerous escalation in tactics.
The Magic Seas, which had armed guards onboard and was en route northbound, eventually began to sink, forcing the crew to evacuate. US Central Command acknowledged awareness of the incident but provided no further comment.
Yemen’s exiled government, through Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani, confirmed the vessel’s identity and blamed the Houthis. He stated that the attack once again demonstrated the group’s role as a proxy for Iranian interests in the region, accusing Tehran of supplying the rebels with advanced weaponry, including drones and sea mines.
This latest assault comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, as hopes for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war remain fragile and Iran faces mounting pressure over its nuclear programme following US airstrikes.
The Houthis, who claim their maritime campaign is in support of Palestinians in Gaza, have previously targeted over 100 vessels since November 2023, disrupting critical global trade through the Red Sea corridor. Their operations had paused under a self-imposed ceasefire, which ended following US strikes in March. Although fewer incidents have occurred in recent weeks, Sunday’s attack could signal a renewed phase of hostilities.
Israel responded by issuing warnings for three Houthi-held ports in Yemen — Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif — and launched airstrikes shortly thereafter.
Meanwhile, the wider conflict in Yemen between the Houthis and the internationally recognised government remains unresolved, with occasional flare-ups involving the Saudi-led coalition and local coastguard forces.
Source: AP News
