Houthis Strike Bulk Carrier in Red Sea with Naval Drones

According to The Maritime Executive, Houthi forces have resumed attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, targeting the Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas with a group of naval drones.

The incident took place on Sunday, July 6, when approximately six small boats carrying armed militants approached the vessel while it was about 94 kilometers southwest of the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

The Houthis, armed with small arms and grenade launchers, opened fire on the vessel. According to the security consultancy firm Vanguard, one of the anti-tank grenades struck the bulk carrier’s bridge.

According to EOS Risk Group, the vessel was later attacked by four unmanned surface vessels (USVs): two were destroyed, while the other two reached their target.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that the vessel had sustained significant damage as a result of the attack. A fire broke out on board, and the ship began taking on water through several breaches in the hull.

Due to the risk of sinking, the crew decided to abandon the vessel at approximately 3:45 p.m. and awaited rescue. At 7:00 p.m., UKMTO received confirmation that they had been rescued by a passing merchant vessel.

Houthi Attacks and a Fragile Calm

The Houthis, who control much of Yemen, began attacking vessels in the Red Sea shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in Gaza in October 2023. According to the Yemeni militant group, the campaign was intended as an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.

Between November 2023 and January 2025, the Houthis carried out over 100 attacks targeting commercial vessels, disrupting international shipping and forcing companies to reroute their operations. During this period, the group also sank two ships, seized another, and killed at least four seafarers.

The Houthis paused their attacks in January following a brief ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. In May, both sides agreed to a truce, and since then, no vessels have been attacked—though the Houthis have continued to sporadically launch rockets toward Israel.

On Sunday, the group claimed to have fired a missile at Israel. In response, the Israeli military announced evacuations from three Houthi-controlled ports and warned that airstrikes would soon begin targeting Hodeidah, Ras Isa, and As-Salif, as well as the Ras al-Khatib power station.

Shipping traffic through the Red Sea had been gradually recovering, but the latest attack may escalate tensions and increase risks for civilian maritime operations.