On July 6, 2025, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, the MV Magic Seas, was subjected to a sophisticated multi-wave attack approximately 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, Yemen, marking the first significant Houthi-linked maritime assault since December 2024. The coordinated attack, involving small boats, explosive uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), and missiles, has raised concerns about renewed threats to global shipping in the Red Sea, a critical trade corridor. The assault resulted in the ship catching fire, taking on water, and ultimately sinking, with the crew forced to evacuate. This incident underscores the persistent geopolitical tensions in the region and the ongoing challenge of securing maritime routes.
The attack on the MV Magic Seas, a 63,301-dwt vessel carrying fertilizer from China to Egypt, began with eight to nine small speedboats carrying armed assailants who opened fire with automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The ship’s onboard security team returned fire in an attempt to repel the attackers. However, the assault escalated with the deployment of four explosive USVs, two of which were intercepted, while the remaining two struck the vessel, causing significant damage. Reports also indicate that three anti-ship missiles were fired, with two hitting the MV Magic Seas and igniting a fire, while the third missed its target. The damage, compounded by the ship’s cargo of fertilizer, led to severe flooding, forcing the crew to abandon the vessel. The crew was later rescued by a passing ship, according to maritime security firms such as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Ambrey.
The MV Magic Seas was identified as a potential target due to its perceived links to Israel, as flagged by MagicPort, which listed the vessel as a “potential sanctions risk” possibly due to falsified registration data aimed at evading Houthi restrictions on Israeli-affiliated shipping. Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, Ambrey assessed that the vessel fit the “established Houthi target profile,” consistent with the group’s stated campaign against ships connected to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom.
The attack marks a significant escalation in Houthi operations, following a period of relative calm since March 2025, when a U.S.-brokered ceasefire with the Houthis temporarily halted attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Iran-backed Houthi movement, which controls significant portions of Yemen, including Hodeidah, has been targeting maritime traffic since November 2023, claiming solidarity with Palestinians amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. Over 100 attacks have been recorded since then, resulting in the sinking of two ships, the seizure of another, and the deaths of at least four seafarers. The Houthis’ tactics have evolved, incorporating advanced weaponry such as anti-ship ballistic missiles, drones, and explosive USVs, often guided by spotters at sea to enhance precision.
This latest assault follows months of Houthi threats, prompted by U.S. airstrikes in Yemen and their declared intent to blockade Haifa-linked shipping. The attack’s sophistication, involving multiple weapon types and coordinated tactics, suggests an intent to sink the vessel, signaling a renewed determination to disrupt global trade. The timing is notable, coming amidst heightened regional tensions following the 12-day Israel-Iran war and U.S. airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June 2025.
The Red Sea is a vital artery for global trade, with approximately 12% of world commerce passing through the Suez Canal. Houthi attacks since October 2023 have caused significant disruptions, reducing container shipping through the Red Sea by 90% between December 2023 and February 2024, according to the U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency. The number of ships transiting the Suez Canal dropped from 2,068 in November 2023 to 877 in October 2024, with many companies rerouting vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, adding 11,000 nautical miles, ten days of travel, and $1 million in fuel costs per voyage. The Russell Group estimates that goods worth $1 trillion were affected by Houthi attacks from October 2023 to May 2024.
The attack on the MV Magic Seas has reignited concerns about maritime security, particularly for Greek shipping companies, which have been disproportionately targeted, accounting for nearly 30% of Houthi attacks, according to Lloyd’s List Intelligence. The European Union’s naval force, Operation Aspides, has noted the Houthis’ evolving tactics, including targeting entire fleets rather than individual vessels, and has advised ships to disable their Automatic Identification System (AIS) transponders to reduce the risk of missile strikes. Insurance costs for Red Sea voyages have surged, with war risk premiums rising to 0.7% of a ship’s value, adding hundreds of thousands of dollars to each trip.
In response to the attack, Israel launched Operation Black Flag, targeting Houthi command and control facilities, ports, and power plants in Hodeidah, As-Salif, and Ras Isa. The operation also struck the Galaxy Leader, a car carrier seized by the Houthis in November 2023. Israeli Defense Minister Yisrael Katz vowed severe repercussions for the Houthis, signaling a robust military response to the renewed threat. The U.S. and its allies, through initiatives like Operation Prosperity Guardian and Operation Aspides, continue to provide naval escorts and conduct strikes against Houthi targets to secure freedom of navigation. However, the persistence of Houthi attacks highlights the difficulty of deterring the group, which has access to Russian, Chinese, and Iranian weaponry, including surface-to-surface missiles, artillery rockets, and drones.
The Houthi attacks are part of a broader regional conflict linked to the Gaza war, the Iran-Israel proxy war, and the ongoing Yemeni civil war. The Houthis, who oppose Yemen’s internationally recognized government, have controlled parts of the country since 2014, exacerbating a humanitarian crisis marked by famine and displacement. Their maritime campaign, initially focused on Israel-linked ships, has expanded to include vessels with perceived connections to the U.S. and UK, though attacks have often been indiscriminate, affecting ships from numerous nations. The Houthis’ alignment with Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” and their threats to resume attacks if ceasefire agreements are breached underscore the interconnected nature of Middle Eastern conflicts.
The attack on the MV Magic Seas serves as a stark reminder of the fragility of global supply chains and the vulnerability of maritime chokepoints like the Bab al-Mandab Strait. As shipping companies weigh the risks of resuming Red Sea transits, the international community faces the challenge of balancing military, diplomatic, and economic measures to restore stability in the region. The incident highlights the need for enhanced international cooperation, advanced security technologies, and a resolution to the underlying conflicts driving Houthi aggression.
Sources:
Greek City Times, “Breaking News: Houthis Resume Attacks in Red Sea with Major Assault”
Reuters, “Crew rescued in Red Sea after attack on Greek vessel near Yemen, maritime security firms say”
Greek Reporter, “Greek-Owned Merchant Ship Sinking Off Yemen After Attack”
Wikipedia, “Red Sea crisis”
The Washington Institute, “Houthi Shipping Attacks: Patterns and Expectations for 2025”
Canada