A Red Sea bulk carrier was attacked and engulfed in flames on Sunday, and its crew had to abandon ship before the crew was rescued, the British maritime agency said. It is the first big attack in the region since mid-April and has the characteristics of earlier Houthi attacks in the region.
The ship, which was the Magic Seas a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier was attacked off Yemen’s southwest coast, 51 nautical miles from the port of Hodeidah. The crew was safely rescued by a passing merchant vessel and reported safe by the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO).
Security company Ambrey reported that the ship initially came under attack by eight small vessels employing gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades. The armed guards on board fired back. A second attack reportedly comprised four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), two of which hit the port side, inflicting heavy damage to the cargo and a fire onboard.
While no party has yet claimed the responsibility, Ambrey estimated that the event fits the Houthi target profile. The Iran-aligned Yemeni faction has attacked commercial shipping in excess of 100 times since November 2023, using the pretext of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza.
The attacks have also interrupted key trade routes, leading to international military intervention. The US suspended airstrikes on the Houthis in May following a non-aggression pact. Still, with the US airstrikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in June, the Houthis threatened to resume attacking American ships in the area.
The operator of the vessel has yet to make a public statement regarding the incident.
The most recent attack highlights chronic threats in one of the world’s most critical sea lanes, as heightened tensions are associated with local conflicts between Israel, Iran, and Yemen’s Houthi rebels.
