A Liberian-flagged cargo ship came under fire in the Red Sea late Monday, just a day after Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for sinking another vessel in the same area. The attack injured two security guards, while two others remain missing, according to private maritime security firm Ambrey.
The latest assault, involving armed men in small boats and bomb-laden drones, targeted a ship heading north toward the Suez Canal. The vessel’s engines were reportedly disabled, leaving it adrift. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center confirmed the incident, though the Houthis have not formally claimed the attack.
Yemen’s internationally recognized government, however, accused the Iran-aligned rebel group of carrying out the strike. Moammar al-Eryani, the information minister, said the Houthis were continuing their campaign against commercial shipping.
On Sunday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for attacking the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas. The vessel was hit by drones, missiles, and small arms fire around 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, a Houthi-controlled port. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon ship and was later rescued by the UAE’s Safeen Prism, according to the Emirati government.
Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson, confirmed the attack on the Magic Seas, stating it was part of ongoing operations to disrupt Israeli-linked maritime traffic in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea in response to the war in Gaza. Saree later said the Magic Seas had sunk.
In response, Israel launched airstrikes early Monday on multiple Houthi-controlled sites, including ports at Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as a power plant at Ras Kanatib. The Israeli military also targeted the Galaxy Leader, a ship seized by the Houthis in November 2023 and reportedly repurposed for surveillance operations.
“These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime,” the Israeli military said, adding that these weapons were being used to attack Israeli interests.
The conflict further escalated with a retaliatory missile strike by the Houthis targeting Israel. The Israeli military confirmed the attempted interception of two missiles, which appeared to strike undisclosed locations. No casualties have been reported.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a warning following the events, stating, “Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions.”
Since November 2023, Houthi attacks have disrupted trade in the Red Sea corridor, a vital route for global commerce handling nearly $1 trillion in goods annually. Over 100 merchant vessels have been targeted, with two confirmed sinkings and four sailors killed.
While shipping activity had shown signs of recovery, the latest incidents raise concerns about a renewed Houthi campaign that could once again draw the involvement of Western naval forces in the region.
