Ship Attacked in Red Sea After Bulk Carrier Sinking Claimed
Red Sea Shipping Under Siege Amid Houthi Attacks
A Liberian-flagged cargo ship was targeted in the Red Sea on Monday, resulting in injuries to two security guards and leaving two others missing. This incident follows a similar attack by Yemen’s Houthi militants, who claimed responsibility for sinking another vessel, the Greek-owned Magic Seas, just a day earlier. The escalating violence raises concerns about a renewed Houthi campaign against maritime shipping, potentially drawing in U.S. and Western forces once again.
Escalating Tensions in the Red Sea
The recent attacks in the Red Sea have heightened fears of instability in a region already fraught with conflict. The Houthi militants reportedly used drones, missiles, and small arms to assault the Magic Seas, forcing its crew of 22 to abandon ship. The vessel was en route to Egypt’s Suez Canal when it came under fire, approximately 100 kilometers southwest of the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah. The crew was later rescued by a passing ship, while the Magic Seas was confirmed to have sunk.
On Monday night, the Liberian-flagged cargo ship was attacked by armed men in small boats and bomb-carrying drones. The private security firm Ambrey reported that the vessel’s engines were disabled, causing it to drift. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed the attack, although the Houthis did not claim responsibility for this specific incident. However, Yemeni Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani stated that the Houthis were behind both attacks, which have raised alarms about their intentions in the region.
The U.S. military’s Central Command acknowledged awareness of the situation but refrained from further comment. The attacks coincide with a sensitive period in Middle Eastern geopolitics, as discussions around a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict and Iran’s nuclear negotiations are ongoing. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump on the same day adds another layer of complexity to the situation.
Israeli Strikes and Houthi Retaliation
In response to the Houthi attacks, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on Houthi-held ports early Monday, targeting locations such as Hodeidah and Ras Isa. The Israeli military claimed these ports are used by the Houthis to transfer weapons from Iran, which are then employed in operations against Israel and its allies. The strikes included an attack on the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle-carrying vessel seized by the Houthis in November 2023, which was reportedly equipped with a radar system for tracking maritime traffic.
Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz warned of further military action, stating that any aggression against Israel would be met with severe consequences. The Houthis responded by launching missiles and drones targeting Israel, with reports indicating that some projectiles reached their destination, although no injuries were reported. This cycle of attack and retaliation underscores the ongoing volatility in the region, as the Houthis have been actively targeting commercial and military vessels in an effort to disrupt Israeli operations.
Since November 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 merchant vessels, significantly impacting trade through the Red Sea corridor, which typically handles around $1 trillion in goods annually. While shipping activity has seen a slight uptick recently, the threat of Houthi attacks continues to loom large, complicating maritime operations in this critical area.
