Crew members of the Liberian-flagged ship Magic Seas abandoned their vessel on Sunday night after it was attacked in the Red Sea, marking a significant escalation in violence in this crucial trade route. This incident follows months of assaults attributed to Yemen’s Houthi rebels. The ship, owned by a Greek company, was reportedly struck by bomb-laden drone boats after coming under fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades.
Security experts quickly pointed to the Houthis as the likely perpetrators of this attack. Although the rebels’ media reported on the incident, they have not officially claimed responsibility, which is typical behavior following such assaults. Acknowledgment of their attacks can often take hours or even days.
The incident raises concerns about maritime safety in the Red Sea, a vital corridor for global trade, and highlights the ongoing conflict involving the Houthis. As tensions escalate, the international community is closely monitoring the situation to assess potential impacts on shipping and regional stability.