Red Sea Ship Attack Threatens New War With Houthis
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Yemen's Houthi rebels have attacked a commercial vessel in the Red Sea, marking their first attack on international shipping since December and raising the prospect of renewed military conflict. The Liberian-flagged, Greek owned bulk carrier Magic Seas was targeted with rocket-propelled grenades, small arms fire, and explosive-laden drone boats, according to maritime security sources.
The Houthis claimed responsibility, saying the strike was part of their continued support for Palestinians amid Israel's ongoing war in Gaza. While initial reports did not name the vessel, maritime security firm Ambrey confirmed it was the Magic Seas.
Newsweek has reached out the Pentagon for comment.
Why It Matters
The attack shatters a relative calm in the Red Sea and could trigger a renewed Western military response. With previous Houthi attacks prompting U.S.-led airstrikes and multinational naval deployments, the Magic Seas incident could signal the beginning of a new phase in the conflict, with global shipping again at risk. Red Sea disruptions have already forced shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa, bypassing the Suez Canal. This not only delays cargo but inflates global shipping costs—estimated to have surged by nearly $200 billion since the Houthi campaign began.
In this photo released by the Etat-Major des Armées, the MV Tutor sinks in the Red Sea after it was struck by a Houthi drone vessel, June 12, 2024.
In this photo released by the Etat-Major des Armées, the MV Tutor sinks in the Red Sea after it was struck by a Houthi drone vessel, June 12, 2024.
Etat-Major des Armées/AP Photo
What to Know
According to Ambrey, the attack began with small skiffs opening fire with small arms and RPGs. The ship's Armed Security Team (AST) returned fire as the situation escalated. A short time later, four unmanned surface vessels (USV) approached the vessel. "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," the alert stated.
On its official X account, MarineTraffic released tracking data of the Magic Seas, providing a detailed view of the vessel's route and nearby maritime activity in the lead-up to the attack. The playback offers insight into the ship's movements and the surrounding traffic prior to the incident.
Bulk carrier attacked in the Red Sea
The Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier en route from Zhuhai, China to the Suez Canal, was attacked in the Red Sea on 6 July off the coast of Hodeidah, Yemen. She was laden with steel products and fertiliser, according to… pic.twitter.com/CAdoEOAdeF — MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) July 7, 2025
Vow to Continue Campaign
Posting to their Al Ansar Telegram channel, the Houthis said the ship fit their criteria for targeting. "Four naval drones attacked a ship," they said. "Two naval drones collided with the left side of the ship, causing damage to its cargo." The group tied the operation to their broader campaign in support of Gaza, consistent with their prior attacks on Red Sea shipping since November 2023.
Israel Hits Houthi Ports
The attack comes after Israel's military escalation against the Houthis intensified over the weekend, as it launched airstrikes on three key ports—Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and Salif—along with the Ras Kathib power plant and radar equipment on the seized Galaxy Leader vessel docked in Hodeidah.
The strikes, Israel's first in nearly a month, followed the interception of a missile launched from Yemen earlier that day. In retaliation, the Iran-aligned Houthis fired additional missiles and drones toward Israel, prompting sirens but causing no reported casualties or damage.
Houthi supporters shout slogans during a weekly, anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, July 4, 2025.
Houthi supporters shout slogans during a weekly, anti-U.S. and anti-Israel rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday, July 4, 2025.
Osamah Abdulrahman/AP Photo
What People Are Saying
Ambrey Maritime Security Alert: "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."
Houthi Statement on Telegram: "Four naval drones attacked a ship. Our assessment indicates that the attacked ship meets the Yemeni criteria for targeting ships."
What Happens Next
It is not yet clear whether this strike marks the start of a new phase of Houthi operations or is a one-off incident. U.S. Navy and European maritime forces have not issued formal responses, but renewed military engagement appears likely if the pattern of attacks continues.
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