Yemen-based Houthi rebels reportedly sank two merchant vessels last week, the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ships Magic Seas and Eternity C, using missiles, unmanned surface vessels, and RPGs.
The first attack occurred on July 6, 2025, in the Red Sea, approximately 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. Houthi forces released footage of the incident, showing the Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated cargo ship Magic Seas being struck by missiles and unmanned surface vessels (USVs), followed by an onboard detonation carried out by Yemeni naval forces. The attack was carried out by eight high-speed boats manned by armed assailants who fired more than a dozen of RPG-type anti-tank rockets. Four USVs also took part in the assault.
According to the video, the crew allegedly ignored repeated warnings prior to the impact. The vessel was then struck, boarded by special forces, and subsequently rigged with explosives, which were detonated onboard, ultimately resulting in the ship’s sinking.
The second attack targeted the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C on July 7, 2025. The vessel was reportedly assaulted using sea drones, fast-moving skiffs, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). According to initial reports, three Filipino seafarers were killed in the attack, and another crew member was injured.
The crew of the vessel abandoned the ship, and were rescued by another merchant ship which was in the vicinity of the incident area. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) Centre said Wednesday (July 09) that five crew members were rescued following the attack on the ship, and a search continues for those missing. According to The Guardian, seven crew members of the cargo ship have been rescued but at least four were killed and 14 others are still missing.
The Houthis claimed responsibility for both attacks, stating that they were targeting Israel-linked vessels as part of their campaign to pressure Israel to cease its military operations in Gaza. These incidents mark a renewed wave of Houthi assaults on commercial shipping in the southern Red Sea, ending a period of relative calm since the last reported attack on December 26, 2024.
According to France’s MICA Center, these recent attacks are not a change of trend because the targeted ships clearly have a link with Israel (stopovers made by the ship or by other ships of the company). “It may also be that the Houthists want to put pressure on the current ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel” added the MICA Center in a post on LinkedIn.
