Greek vessel in the Red Sea met its demise, allegedly at the hands of the Hussites.
In a troubling development, a Greek freighter named Magic Seas, flying the flag of Liberia, was attacked in the Red Sea off Yemen's southwestern coast on Sunday. The vessel, owned by an Israeli company, was targeted in an assault that began with gunfire and rocket-propelled grenades from eight small boats.
The incident occurred approximately 51 nautical miles from Hodeidah port, and the attack was followed by an assault using four Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), or bomb-carrying drone boats. Two USVs struck the vessel's port side, causing heavy damage and igniting a fire onboard. Fortunately, the crew abandoned the ship and was safely rescued by a passing merchant vessel.
Although the Houthis did not immediately claim responsibility, security firms and maritime sources assessed the attack fits the established Houthi profile, given their history of similar strikes and regional activity. The Houthis, an Iran-aligned Yemeni rebel group involved in a long-running conflict in Yemen, have carried out over 100 attacks on shipping since November 2023.
This attack comes at a delicate period of heightened Middle East tensions linked to the Israel-Hamas war and broader Iranian-related conflicts. The Houthis’ ongoing campaign against commercial shipping in this strategic corridor threatens international trade and has led to increased military vigilance from Western powers.
It is worth noting that the Houthis have previously claimed to have successfully hit Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv with a hypersonic ballistic missile. However, this claim has not been independently verified. The armed security team on board returned fire during the attack on the Magic Seas.
The Houthis are followers of Imam al-Houthi, a prominent Yemeni Shia cleric who leads the movement. Their actions continue to pose a significant threat to regional stability and international trade routes. This incident marks the first such incident reported by agencies in this area since mid-April.
The attack on the Magic Seas serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflicts and tensions in the Middle East and the risk they pose to commercial shipping in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, it is crucial for all parties involved to exercise caution and work towards a peaceful resolution to these long-standing conflicts.
- The attack on the Magic Seas, a freighter targeted in the Red Sea, aligns with the crime-and-justice category, as it involves an unwarranted assault on a vessel, resulting in heavy damage and causing distress for the crew.
- This incident in the Middle East, where the Houthis are suspects, is relevant to general-news and sports, as it underscores the ongoing tension between warring factions, including the Houthis, who have previously claimed to have hit a major sports hub like Ben Gurion International Airport, and its potential impact on international trade and peace efforts in the sports & commerce world.
