Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement claimed on Monday it had sunk the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas in the Red Sea, ending six months of relative calm on the waterway. The vessel’s Greek operator, Stem Shipping, said it had no confirmation the ship was lost, and Reuters could not independently verify the claim.
Sunday’s assault, the Houthis’ first reported high-seas strike of 2025, hit the cargo ship with gunfire, rockets and four explosive unmanned surface craft after eight skiffs opened fire, according to maritime security advisories. Stem Shipping said the 19 seafarers and three armed guards abandoned the flooding vessel and were picked up by a passing merchant ship bound for Djibouti.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said the rebels had warned the crew before striking with “two unmanned boats, five missiles and three drones.” UK Maritime Trade Operations and security firm Ambrey reported fires and severe flooding on board; Ambrey said two drone boats smashed into the port side, damaging cargo holds.
The Magic Seas, carrying iron and fertiliser from China to Turkey, had no apparent Israeli link, but vessels managed by its co-manager Allseas Marine have called at Israeli ports in the past year, maritime-risk firm Vanguard Tech said.
The Houthis waged more than 100 attacks on commercial shipping from late 2023 through December 2024 in what they called solidarity with Palestinians during the Gaza war, sinking two vessels, seizing another and killing at least four seafarers. The campaign prompted global carriers to divert around the Horn of Africa and triggered U.S.-led air strikes. Hostilities paused this year until Sunday’s attack.
Shortly after the strike, Israel said it hit three Houthi-controlled ports, though it did not link its operation to the Magic Seas incident. The region remains tense after a June Israel-Iran conflict and U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. President Donald Trump has since suspended U.S. attacks on the Houthis, saying the group pledged to stop interfering with key trade lanes.