Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen claimed Monday evening that a cargo ship, Magic Seas, sank in the Red Sea following an attack on Sunday.
The vessel, a Liberian-flagged and Greek-owned bulk carrier, was reportedly targeted using a combination of drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms fire. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center confirmed that the ship’s onboard security team returned fire during the initial assault, reports dw.com
According to private maritime security firm Ambrey, the attackers also deployed bomb-laden drone boats during the incident.
The vessel’s 22-member crew was forced to abandon ship and was later rescued by a passing merchant vessel. However, reports of the Magic Seas sinking have not been independently confirmed.
Houthi military spokesperson Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree declared that such attacks would persist until Israel halts its military operations in Gaza and lifts the blockade.
The Red Sea, a crucial global trade corridor linking Europe and Asia through Egypt’s Suez Canal, has seen frequent disruptions to shipping traffic due to Houthi assaults from late 2023 through 2024.
