Red Sea Cargo Ship Attacked Amid Rising Houthi Hostilities Following Bulk Carrier Sinking

A cargo ship flying the Liberian flag was attacked in the Red Sea on Monday night, following a recent incident where Yemeni Houthi rebels claimed they sank another ship in the same waters. The assault resulted in injuries to two security guards with two additional personnel currently unaccounted for, as reported by the private maritime security company Ambrey.

The ship, heading north towards the Suez Canal, was attacked by armed men in small boats and bomb-laden drones. The attack incapacitated the vessel's engines, leaving it adrift. The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center confirmed the event, although the Houthis have not officially taken responsibility for this attack.

Yemen's government, which is internationally recognized, has accused the Iran-backed Houthi rebels of conducting the strike. Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani stated that the Houthis are persisting in their offensive against commercial shipping.

Previously, on Sunday, the Houthis had admitted to attacking the Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas. This vessel was targeted by drones, missiles, and small arms fire approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, a port under Houthi control. The vessel's 22-person crew was compelled to abandon ship and was subsequently rescued by the UAE vessel Safeen Prism, as confirmed by the Emirati government.

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, a spokesperson for the Houthi military, confirmed the attack on the Magic Seas, framing it as part of broader efforts to disrupt maritime traffic linked to Israel in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, a response to the conflict in Gaza. Saree later reported that the Magic Seas had sunk.

Israel responded with airstrikes early Monday targeting multiple sites controlled by the Houthis, including ports in Hodeida, Ras Isa, and Salif, as well as a power plant in Ras Kanatib. The Israeli military also targeted the Galaxy Leader, a ship captured by the Houthis in November 2023, allegedly converted for surveillance purposes.

The Israeli military stated, "These ports are used by the Houthi terrorist regime to transfer weapons from the Iranian regime," adding that these arms were employed in attacks against Israeli interests.

The situation escalated further when the Houthis launched a missile strike aimed at Israel. The Israeli military reported the attempted interception of two missiles, which appeared to have impacted unspecified locations, causing no reported casualties.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz issued a stern warning, asserting, "Anyone who raises a hand against Israel will have it cut off. The Houthis will continue to pay a heavy price for their actions."

Since November 2023, Houthi attacks have significantly disrupted trade through the Red Sea corridor, an essential route for global commerce, managing nearly $1 trillion in goods annually. Over 100 merchant vessels have been targeted, with two confirmed sinkings and the deaths of four sailors.

Although shipping activities had shown signs of recovery, the recent incidents have raised concerns about a potential renewed Houthi campaign, which might necessitate the involvement of Western naval forces in the region once more.