EGYPT: The Houthis rebels of Yemen launched their first attack on Red Sea shipping since December, striking the Liberian-registered Magic Seas bulk cargo vessel with drone boats, rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs), and small arms fire. The ship is currently ablaze.
The Houthis claimed credit for the attack, saying it was in support of Palestinians in the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. While official reports do not name the vessel, a maritime security official confirmed that it was the Magic Seas.
The bulk cargo ship was transiting north in the Red Sea about 51 nautical miles southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodiedah when it was attacked by eight skiffs that opened fire with small arms and RPGs, according to an alert from the Ambrey maritime security firm. The ship’s “Armed Security Team (AST) had returned fire. Ambrey assessed the situation as ongoing and will provide updates when available,” the alert stated.
A short while later, “the vessel was subsequently attacked by four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs),” the Ambrey alert continued. “Two of the USVs impacted the port side of the vessel, damaging the vessel’s cargo. The remaining two USVs were intercepted and destroyed by the AST. Based on AIS data, the vessel was still underway at the time of writing. Ambrey assessed the vessel to meet the established Houthi target profile. Ambrey assessed the situation as ongoing and will provide updates when available.”
Ambrey advised that when a vessel is attacked by USVs, “non-essential crew gather in a safe muster point above the waterline.”
UKMTO_WARNING_INCIDENT_026-25 – ATTACK Update 001https://t.co/EQMqysjld2#MaritimeSecurity #MarSec pic.twitter.com/exw8vxwgkh
— UKMTO Ops Centre (@UK_MTO) July 6, 2025
In a message posted on its Al Ansar Telegram channel, the Houthis also said the Magic Seas fit the profile of ships to be targeted.
“Four naval drones attacked a ship,” the Houthis stated. “Our assessment indicates that the attacked ship meets the Yemeni criteria for targeting ships. Two naval drones collided with the left side of the ship, causing damage to its cargo.”
The Houthi shipping attacks began in November 2023 in solidarity with Palestinians over the latest war between Israel and Gaza. They have forced some ships to avoid the Suez Canal for a far longer route around Africa, boosting shipping costs by nearly $200 billion. The Houthis’ attacks sank two vessels, damaged many others, caused the death of four mariners, and led to many being held hostage after a ship was seized. The Houthi Red Sea campaign also led to nearly constant military engagements with the U.S. and its allies, including air strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen and repelling the militant group’s frequent missile, aerial drone, and drone boat attacks on commercial and military vessels.
In March, the US launched intensified airstrikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to the shipping attacks. A ceasefire was later reached.
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It is unclear whether the US Navy or any other navies have responded to the Magic Seas. We have reached out to the Navy and the European-led Operation Aspides maritime security task force for more information.