Who are Yemen's Houthis, the group behind the recent Red Sea cargo ship attack?

Time of India

08-07-2025

UAE rescue vessel arrives at the damaged Magic Seas cargo ship after Houthi attack in the Red Sea/ Image: File
TL;DR:
A cargo ship sailing through the Red Sea was attacked by Yemen's Houthi rebels using drones, missiles, and explosive boats. The crew abandoned the ship. The UAE responded and rescued all 22 people on board.
This is the first Houthi strike on commercial shipping in months and may signal a return to tensions in the region.
The Red Sea, one of the busiest maritime routes in the world, saw a serious escalation over the weekend. A commercial ship named Magic Seas came under attack near Yemen's coast on July 7. It was hit with a mix of weapons, including drones, ballistic missiles, and unmanned boats filled with explosives. The attack on Magic Seas shows that maritime threats in the Red Sea haven't gone away, but just paused.
This isn't the first time the Iran-linked Houthi group has gone after cargo ships. But this was their first such strike in months, and it came after a temporary pause in violence following a U.S.-brokered ceasefire earlier this year.
The attack forced the crew to send out a distress call. What followed was a swift response by the UAE.
Who are the Houthis?
The Houthis are a rebel group based in northern Yemen. They began as a local movement in the 1990s but have grown into a powerful armed force.
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In 2014, they took control of Yemen's capital, Sanaa, and have been fighting the country's internationally recognized government ever since.
They're widely supported by Iran, especially when it comes to weapons and military training, though both deny direct control. Over time, the Houthis have upgraded their capabilities, now launching long-range missiles and drones and even staging attacks at sea.
Their current focus goes beyond Yemen.
Since the war in Gaza started in October 2023, the group has tried to target ships they believe are linked to Israel.
What happened to Magic Seas?
The cargo ship Magic Seas, owned by a Greek company and sailing under a Liberian flag, was attacked while passing through the Red Sea. It had reportedly docked in Israel on a previous voyage, something the Houthis used to justify the strike.
The group used a wide range of weapons:
Drones
Cruise and ballistic missiles
Two unmanned explosive boats
Small boats with armed men using rifles and rocket-propelled grenades
The attack damaged the ship.
Fearing it would sink, the crew abandoned it.
UAE takes charge of rescue
The UAE responded quickly. A vessel operated by Abu Dhabi Ports Group, called Safa Breeze, picked up the distress call and reached the ship in time.
The rescue was coordinated with the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and other maritime safety agencies. All 22 people on board, including crew and security, were brought to safety. Officials confirmed that standard safety procedures were followed throughout the operation.
Latest developments: New deadly attack raises fears
Two crew members of another cargo ship, the Eternity C
,
a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier were killed in a sea drone and speedboat attack off Yemen on Monday night. The attack lasted several hours and left the ship surrounded by small craft still attacking it.
According to maritime safety authorities, at least two others were injured and two crew members were reported missing. The ongoing assault by Yemen's Houthi rebels on the Eternity C has raised alarm over a potential surge in violence along this vital shipping route, the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations Center warned.
What happens next?
The attack on Magic Seas and the deadly assault on Eternity C, highlight growing risks to freedom of navigation through the Red Sea, a key shipping lane connecting Europe, Asia, and Africa.
Shortly after the Magic Seas incident, Israel reportedly carried out airstrikes on Houthi-controlled areas near the Yemeni port city of Hodeida. One of the targets was the Galaxy Leader, a ship the Houthis captured last year. In response, the Houthis launched missiles toward Israel.
The Red Sea could now become a flashpoint again, as violence in Gaza spills into wider regional conflict.
FAQs
Why did the Houthis attack this ship?
They said it had docked in Israel before, which, in their view, made it a target.
Was anyone injured or killed?
No injuries were reported. All 22 people on board were rescued safely.
What weapons were used in the attack?
The attack involved explosives, five cruise and ballistic missiles, three drones, small arms and rocket-propelled grenades
What was the UAE's role?
The UAE, through its maritime operations, led the rescue. The crew was evacuated by Safa Breeze, a ship operated by Abu Dhabi Ports Group.
Is this the start of more attacks?
It could be. This was the first Houthi attack on a commercial vessel in months, and it comes as tensions between Israel and its regional enemies continue to grow.