CAIRO, July 6 (as reported by Reuters) — A Greek-owned bulk carrier, the Magic Seas, was attacked in the Red Sea on Sunday in a violent escalation that involved gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades, and unmanned sea drones, according to maritime security sources. The incident took place 51 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Hodeidah and marks the first assault of this kind in the vital shipping corridor since April.
Summary of the Attack
The Liberian-flagged vessel, operated by a Greek company, was first targeted by eight small boats firing automatic weapons and RPGs. Armed security personnel aboard the ship returned fire, according to advisories from the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Ambrey, a maritime security firm.
Shortly after, the ship was struck by four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). Two of the drones impacted the port side, causing significant damage to the vessel’s cargo and igniting a fire on board.
“The crew abandoned the vessel as it began taking on water,” said a source from maritime security company Diaplous. Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the crew.
Suspected Houthi Involvement
While no group has claimed responsibility, Ambrey stated the attack bore the hallmarks of the Houthi militant group, which has previously targeted commercial vessels in the region. The Iran-aligned Houthis have launched over 100 attacks on shipping since November 2023, citing solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Geopolitical Context and Escalation
This attack comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East, following the Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June. In May, former U.S. President Donald Trump announced a halt to U.S. strikes on the Houthis after a temporary agreement was reached. However, the Houthis later threatened to resume attacks if the U.S. intervened in Israeli operations against Iran.
Impact on Global Shipping
The Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait are critical maritime chokepoints. Previous Houthi attacks have:
- Sunk two ships
- Seized one vessel
- Killed at least four seafarers
These incidents have forced global shipping companies to reroute vessels, increasing transit times and costs. The latest attack on Magic Seas will likely renew concerns over maritime security in the region.
The Maritime-Hub News Network.
