Yemen: Houthis claim attack on Greek vessel in Red Sea

Yemen’s Houthi movement claimed responsibility for an attack on the bulk carrier, known as Magic Seas in the Red Sea, leaving the vessel severely damaged and in danger of sinking, the Middle East Eye reported via Reuters on July 7th.

The incident marked the first such attack in the Red Sea since mid-April. The Greek-owned, Liberia-flagged vessel was struck on July 6th in a four-hour assault involving gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades, sea drones, and missiles.

This incident is part of a broader wave of shipping attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, ongoing since November 2023. The group has targeted international vessels in what it describes as support for Palestinians affected by Israeli military operations in Gaza.

A ceasefire agreement was reached between the Houthis and the United States in May to suspend attacks on maritime traffic. However, the deal excluded ships connected to Israel. The Magic Seas had previously docked in Israel, but the latest voyage was unrelated to any Israeli ports, according to its operator, Stem Shipping, as reported by Reuters on July 7th.

As reported by Middle East Monitor via Anadolu Agency on March 3rd, as well as Maghrebi, Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty warned that the stability of Yemen is important for security in the region and the Red Sea. The resurgence of shipping attacks in the Red Sea has raised fresh security concerns for one of the world’s most vital maritime corridors, through which, a significant share of global trade passes.

Middle East Eye via Reuters, Maghrebi.org, Middle East monitor via Anadolu Agency