Latest news with #MagicSeas
Yemen Online
5 hours ago
- Business
- Yemen Online
Israel Strikes Cripple Yemen's Fragmented Power System
Yemen's Houthis have burst back onto the global stage with deadly maritime attacks in the Red Sea. To weaken the Houthis, Israel has again struck key links in their energy infrastructure, weakening the country's already ailing power sector. Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have returned with a vengeance over the past week. The group attacked and sunk both the Greek-owned bulk carriers Magic Seas (IMO: 9736169) and Eternity C (IMO: 9588249), killing at least three sailors and taking multiple hostages in their first attacks in the Red Sea since December. It comes on the back of a fragile truce agreed between their ally Iran, the US, and Israel following 12 days of warfare (MEES, 27 June) and despite ongoing negotiations in Doha for a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza.
NDTV
18 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Explained: What Is At Stake After Yemen's Houthis Resume Red Sea Attacks
Yemen's Houthi rebels have resumed their attacks on Red Sea shipping, saying they aim to force Israel to cease fire in Gaza -- a move that threatens a truce with Washington and rattles maritime trade. The Iran-backed rebels allege that the two vessels they attacked earlier this week -- the Magic Seas and the Eternity C -- were linked to trade with Israel. But their renewed campaign comes at a pivotal moment when Washington and Tehran are weighing talks following a devastating 12-day Iran-Israel war, while Hamas and Israel are holding truce negotiations in Qatar. What's at stake for the rebels and why have they decided to resume attacks after a gap of more than six months? Why Now? The rebels, who have also mounted direct attacks on Israel, have launched more than 100 attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre run by Western navies. They paused their attacks during a short-lived Gaza truce earlier this year before renewing them last weekend. The rebels say their aim is to support Palestinians in Gaza. Their political leader, Mahdi al-Mashat, told Hamas negotiators in Doha to "negotiate with your heads held high, for we are with you and all the resources of our people will support you" until the war ends. But analysts say their resumption of attacks goes beyond support for Gaza. It comes shortly after Iran fought a devastating war with Israel without support from its allies in the so-called "axis of resistance", which also includes Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah. "This is a reminder from the Revolutionary Guard, through its most important ally (the Houthis), that what was withheld in the previous round (of fighting), if repeated, can be activated," said the chairperson of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, Maged al-Madhaji. Noam Raydan, who tracks maritime attacks for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Houthis had continued to monitor ship movements throughout the pause in attacks. "They've ensured that their presence is always felt", she said. What Are They Hoping To Achieve? Although Iran is their main backer, the Houthis are not just a Tehran proxy: they have ambitions of their own and dreams of a broader regional role. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at British think tank Chatham House, described the attacks as a "power move" that enabled the Houthis to "project more power regionally and internationally". Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon have severely weakened both Hamas and Hezbollah, leaving the Houthis as the only member of the "axis of resistance" to emerge relatively unscathed. The rebels have endured repeated air strikes by Israel in response to their drone and missile attacks. Washington too carried out an intensive bombing campaign earlier this year before agreeing to cease fire in May in return for an end to Houthi attacks on international shipping. "While the US campaign badly hit the Houthis' communication and some military capabilities, they still have huge stock and rebuilt their communications quickly," said Muslimi, adding that their maritime power "has been booming". He said that in comparison with their attacks on Israel, which had had only limited success, the Houthis' attacks on shipping had proved "a very efficient way to make the entire West, and most of the east, bleed." What Are The Risks? The Houthis' campaign has caused major disruption to the vital shipping lane through the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea that normally carries about 12 percent of global trade. With insurance premiums skyrocketing, many shipping firms have opted to make the time-consuming detour around the southern tip of Africa instead. "Transit via the Bab al-Mandeb strait remains low compared to 2023 - a drop by over 50 percent," Raydan told AFP. She said the rebels had taken advantage of a decreased naval presence in the area to mount their attacks. "The Houthis appear to have more freedom now to assault freedom of navigation," she said. The future of a fragile ceasefire with the United States meant to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is now uncertain. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for action to stop further Houthi attacks. "If the Houthis are not confronted, this problem will only grow," he warned.
Arab News
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Arab News
UN chief condemns renewed Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping
NEW YORK: Fresh attacks by Houthi militants on international shipping in the Red Sea are unacceptable and violate the freedom of navigation, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said on Friday. The Yemeni group resumed attacks on ships this week when it seized and sank two vessels as they attempted to pass through the waterway linking the Mediterranean Sea with the Indian Ocean. Four seafarers are presumed dead and 11 others are still missing. The attacks were the first carried out by the group on international shipping for more than six months. In response to Israel's war on Gaza, the militants attacked more than 100 vessels between November 2023 and December 2024, often using missiles and drones. The campaign forced shipping companies to reroute around Africa, adding significant time and costs to shipping goods between Asia and Europe. Hopes that shipping through the waterway may be returning to normal were shattered last weekend when the Houthis attacked and sank the Magic Seas. All the crew were rescued. Then on Monday, the group attacked the Eternity C before sinking it on Wednesday. Only 10 of the 25 aboard have been rescued. Both the ships flew Liberian flags and were operated by Greek companies. Guterres 'strongly condemned' the resumption of Houthi attacks on civilian vessels, his spokesman said. 'The sinking of both the Magic Seas and the Eternity C, along with the deaths of at least four crew members and injuries to others, is a dangerous re-escalation in this critical waterway,' he said. The secretary-general called on the Houthis not to impede the ongoing search and rescue operations for the missing crew. 'Beyond being an unacceptable attack on the safety and security of seafarers, these acts also violated the freedom of navigation, caused a hazard to maritime transport and represent a serious risk of a significant environmental, economic and humanitarian damage to an already vulnerable coastal environment,' he said.
Nahar Net
a day ago
- Politics
- Nahar Net
What's at stake as Yemen's Houthis renew Red Sea shipping attacks?
by Naharnet Newsdesk 11 July 2025, 17:25 Yemen's Houthi rebels have resumed their attacks on Red Sea shipping, saying they aim to force Israel to cease fire in Gaza -- a move that threatens a truce with Washington and rattles maritime trade. The Iran-backed rebels allege that the two vessels they attacked earlier this week -- the Magic Seas and the Eternity C -- were linked to trade with Israel. But their renewed campaign comes at a pivotal moment when Washington and Tehran are weighing talks following a devastating 12-day Iran-Israel war, while Hamas and Israel are holding truce negotiations in Qatar. What's at stake for the rebels and why have they decided to resume attacks after a gap of more than six months? - Why now? - The rebels, who have also mounted direct attacks on Israel, have launched more than 100 attacks on vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden since November 2023, according to the Joint Maritime Information Centre run by Western navies. They paused their attacks during a short-lived Gaza truce earlier this year before renewing them last weekend. The rebels say their aim is to support Palestinians in Gaza. Their political leader, Mahdi al-Mashat, told Hamas negotiators in Doha to "negotiate with your heads held high, for we are with you and all the resources of our people will support you" until the war ends. But analysts say their resumption of attacks goes beyond support for Gaza. It comes shortly after Iran fought a devastating war with Israel without support from its allies in the so-called "axis of resistance", which also includes Hamas and Lebanon's Hezbollah. "This is a reminder from the Revolutionary Guard, through its most important ally (the Houthis), that what was withheld in the previous round (of fighting), if repeated, can be activated," said the chairperson of the Sanaa Center for Strategic Studies, Maged al-Madhaji. Noam Raydan, who tracks maritime attacks for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, said the Houthis had continued to monitor ship movements throughout the pause in attacks. "They've ensured that their presence is always felt", she said. - What are they hoping to achieve? - Although Iran is their main backer, the Houthis are not just a Tehran proxy: they have ambitions of their own and dreams of a broader regional role. Farea Al-Muslimi, a research fellow at British think tank Chatham House, described the attacks as a "power move" that enabled the Houthis to "project more power regionally and internationally". Israel's wars in Gaza and Lebanon have severely weakened both Hamas and Hezbollah, leaving the Houthis as the only member of the "axis of resistance" to emerge relatively unscathed. The rebels have endured repeated air strikes by Israel in response to their drone and missile attacks. Washington too carried out an intensive bombing campaign earlier this year before agreeing to cease fire in May in return for an end to Houthi attacks on international shipping. "While the US campaign badly hit the Houthis' communication and some military capabilities, they still have huge stock and rebuilt their communications quickly," said Muslimi, adding that their maritime power "has been booming". He said that in comparison with their attacks on Israel, which had had only limited success, the Houthis' attacks on shipping had proved "a very efficient way to make the entire West, and most of the east, bleed." - What are the risks? - The Houthis' campaign has caused major disruption to the vital shipping lane through the Bab al-Mandeb strait and the Red Sea that normally carries about 12 percent of global trade. With insurance premiums skyrocketing, many shipping firms have opted to make the time-consuming detour around the southern tip of Africa instead. "Transit via the Bab al-Mandeb strait remains low compared to 2023 – a drop by over 50 percent," Raydan told AFP. She said the rebels had taken advantage of a decreased naval presence in the area to mount their attacks. "The Houthis appear to have more freedom now to assault freedom of navigation," she said. The future of a fragile ceasefire with the United States meant to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea is now uncertain. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar called for action to stop further Huthi attacks. "If the Houthis are not confronted, this problem will only grow," he warned.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Terror grips the Red Sea: Fears grow that Houthi terrorists are more powerful than ever and could grind international shipping to a halt after sinking two ships in a week - despite Trump's vow he'd dealt with them
Yemen's Houthi rebels have launched a new and yet more violent campaign of attacks targeting cargo ships in the Red Sea, sinking two vessels, killing some of their crew and allegedly taking others hostage. The terror attacks represent the latest chapter of the rebels' explosive campaign over the Israel-Hamas war that threatens to plunge international shipping into chaos. Between November 2023 and December 2024, the Houthi rebel group officially known as Ansar Allah targeted more than 100 vessels with missiles and drones, sinking two and killing four sailors, in what they said was retaliation for Israel 's offensive in Gaza. Their campaign has greatly reduced the flow of trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically sees $1 trillion of goods move through it annually and the latest attacks have seen insurance costs skyrocket. In May, Donald Trump announced he had struck a deal with the rebel group in which the White House agreed to stop bombing Houthi targets in return for an end to shipping attacks. The Trump administration had presented its 52-day bombing campaign on Yemen as being successful in restoring freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. But Yemeni Houthi militia leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi on Thursday embarrassed the US President, declaring that no company could be permitted to transport goods related to Israel as his group launched another round of murderous assaults. Now, two more ships - the Magic Seas and Eternity C - lie at the bottom of the Red Sea, days after they were hit with drone attacks and with rocket-propelled grenades. The crew of the Magic Seas were rescued, but at least four crewmembers of the Eternity C are believed dead, according to maritime sources who spoke to Reuters. Ten more narrowly escaped the same fate after they were plucked from the Red Sea by rescue boats having abandoned ship and spent more than 24 hours floating adrift in the water. But 10 others remain unaccounted for and are feared to have been taken hostage after the Houthis claimed they had seized some members of the fleeing crew. Many shipping companies have suspended voyages in the Red Sea due to the fear of attack, and the insurance cost of shipping goods there has more than doubled in the past week. Rates for a typical seven-day voyage period, which are set by individual underwriters, have been quoted this week at up to 1%, matching the peak level in 2024 when there were daily attacks. Such a small percentage may not sound like much, but this adds hundreds of thousands of dollars in further costs for every single shipment. Some underwriters have pausing cover altogether for some voyages. 'What we have seen in the last week appears to be a return to mid-2024 targeting criteria, which essentially involves any vessel with even a remote Israeli connection,' said Munro Anderson, head of operations at marine war risk insurance specialist Vessel Protect. The attacks represent a new level of violence being employed by the Houthis. Experts have referred to the assaults as being complex in nature, involving armed rebels first racing out to the vessels in the Red Sea, firing small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. They then have used anti-ship missiles and both aerial and sea drones loaded with explosives to attack the ships. Analysts also pointed out the fresh aggression symbolises a failure on the part of Israel and America, whose bombing raids have clearly not stripped the rebels of their ability to launch attacks. The US said it dropped more than 2,000 munitions on more than 1,000 targets in the course of its months-long campaign against Houthi stronghold in Yemen as Trump vowed the group would be 'completely annihilated' unless it stopped targeting Red Sea shipping. His bluster has seemingly failed to deter the Houthis, who have apparently been able to reconstitute their forces to pull off complex maritime military operations. For the Houthis, attacking commercial ships remains far easier than targeting warships as those vessels don't have air defence systems. Instead, some carry a few armed guards able to shoot at attackers or approaching drones. Downing a drone remains difficult and shooting down a missile is impossible with their weaponry. Armed guards also typically are more trained for dealing with piracy and will spray fire hoses at approaching small boats or ring a bridge with cyclone wire to stop attackers from climbing aboard. The Houthis, however, have experience doing helicopter-borne assaults and likely could overwhelm a private security detail, which often is just a three-member team aboard a commercial vessel. The new attack campaign 'represents a qualitative shift in the course of the open battle in support of Gaza', the Houthis' SABA news agency said this week. It added that Israel commits 'daily massacres against civilians in Gaza and relies on sea lanes to finance its aggression and maintain its siege'. 'This stance, which is not content with condemnation or statements, is also advancing with direct military action, in a clear effort to support the Palestinians on various fronts,' the rebels said. The Houthis are members of Islam's minority Shiite Zaydi sect, which ruled Yemen for 1,000 years until 1962. They battled Yemen's central government for years before sweeping down from their northern stronghold in Yemen and seizing the capital, Sanaa, in 2014. That launched a grinding war still technically being waged in the country today. A Saudi-led coalition intervened in 2015 to try to restore Yemen's exiled, internationally recognised government to power. But years of bloody, inconclusive fighting against the Saudi-led coalition settled into a stalemated proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, causing widespread hunger and misery in Yemen, the Arab world's poorest country. The war has killed more than 150,000 people, including fighters and civilians, and created one of the world's worst humanitarian disasters, killing tens of thousands more. A ceasefire that technically ended in October 2022 is still largely being honoured. Saudi Arabia and the rebels have done some prisoner swaps, and a Houthi delegation was invited to high-level peace talks in Riyadh in September 2023 as part of a wider détente the kingdom has reached with Iran. But there is still no permanent peace. The Houthis are counted among Iran's so-called 'Axis of Resistance' in the Middle East that the Islamic Republic uses to project power and political will. Tehran routinely denies arming the rebels, despite physical evidence, numerous seizures and experts tying the weapons back to Iran. Until recently, the Houthis were considered far less capable than their partners Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. But these once-feared militant groups have been decimated by Israel after the October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas that sparked Israel's war in the Gaza Strip. Hamas has been systematically broken down by Israel's brutal campaign of bombings and ground operations that has razed much of the embattled Palestinian enclave to the ground. Hezbollah meanwhile has been gutted by the Israeli Mossad intelligence agency's cunning pager attacks and bombing campaigns which eliminated its leadership and destroyed much of its military capabilities. Iran too has been left reeling after Israel launched a 12-day war against the country in June, which culminated in US airstrikes on key nuclear sites.
