A commercial vessel in the Red Sea has come under attack after small boats fired rocket-propelled grenades and automatic weapons towards the ship. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO), the incident took place 94km southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The UKMTO reported that the vessel has been engaged by multiple small vessels, and the situation is ongoing.
The UKMTO said the attack resulted in a fire onboard, and the vessel began taking on water Sunday night as its crew prepared to abandon ship. “Authorities are investigating,” it said, adding later the ship was ablaze after being “struck by unknown projectiles.” Maritime security sources identified the vessel as the Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier Magic Seas.
While no one has claimed responsibility, British maritime security firm Ambrey said the attack matched the “established Houthi target profile.” The Yemen-based armed group the Houthis have been targeting vessels in the Red Sea since Israel’s war on Gaza began in October 2023, which the Houthis say is in defense of the Palestinians living in the besieged enclave.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have launched more than 100 attacks targeting commercial vessels, disrupting global shipping and forcing firms to reroute.
Their campaign has expanded to include vessels linked to the United States and the United Kingdom since the two countries initiated military strikes in January 2024. A renewed Houthi campaign against shipping could again draw in US and Western forces to the area, potentially escalating tensions in the region.
Escalation in the Red Sea
The attack on the commercial vessel in the Red Sea is a significant escalation in the ongoing maritime security crisis in the region. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, a port city controlled by Yemen’s Houthi rebels, who have been launching dozens of missile and drone attacks on commercial and military vessels since late 2023.
These attacks are claimed to be in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, and the Houthis have targeted vessels associated with Israel, the US, and the UK, disrupting shipping traffic along one of the world’s busiest trade routes.
The Red Sea typically accounts for around 12% of global trade, with approximately $1 trillion worth of goods moving through it annually. The recent attack has raised concerns about the potential involvement of US and Western forces in the region and the impact on global trade.
The incident has also prompted several freight operators to reroute vessels around Africa to avoid the Red Sea, adding to the complexity and challenges of global supply chains. The situation remains volatile, with the Houthis claiming to have launched a missile at Israel, which was intercepted by Israeli defenses, further heightening tensions in the region.