“Magic Seas” Sunk - Houthi Rebels Attack Cargo Ship in the Red Sea

For the first time in months, a civilian cargo ship in the Red Sea has become the target of a deliberate attack. According to consistent reports from international media and security services, the Magic Seas, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned bulk carrier, was attacked on Sunday by armed units of the Yemeni Houthi militia, heavily damaged, and ultimately sunk. On board were fertilizers and steel billets destined for the Turkish market. The 22-member crew was forced to abandon the vessel at sea. The attack was carried out using a wide range of weapons: drones, missiles, rocket-propelled grenades, and automatic firearms. Video footage, now confirmed by several independent sources - which is why we too waited before publishing - shows fighters in combat gear boarding the ship, followed shortly by massive explosions tearing apart large sections of the hull. The Magic Seas sank within a matter of hours. There were no confirmed reports of injuries or fatalities at first, but according to initial information, the crew was rescued by a nearby merchant ship.

The attack marks the first successful strike by the Houthis on a commercial vessel since December 2024 and signals a clear escalation in the shadow war that has been simmering along sea lanes for months. The Yemeni rebels had already attacked several freighters in the past year using rockets, drones, and maritime explosives - always with the declared goal of economically isolating Israel and "cutting the Zionists' supply lines." According to shipping databases, the Magic Seas was not en route to Israel but passed through a corridor the Houthis have labeled part of enemy logistics. The attack has since been confirmed with triumphant language on the Houthi militia’s official Telegram channels and placed in the context of their so-called Gaza blockade. The strategic importance of the Red Sea - particularly the Bab al-Mandab Strait between Yemen and Djibouti - is immense: roughly 12% of global trade flows through this corridor, including large parts of Europe’s and Asia’s energy supply. In recent months, numerous shipping companies had already rerouted around the Cape of Good Hope - with corresponding impacts on supply chains, costs, and insurance premiums. The attack on the Magic Seas is likely to further accelerate this trend. Early analysis points to a new phase in the Houthis' operational capabilities, who now appear to rely not only on drones but increasingly on direct commando operations on the high seas.

Western military observers see the incident not only as a humanitarian and economic threat but also as a clear signal to Israel and its allies: despite heavy bombardment and US-led operations in Yemen, the Houthi networks appear to retain the ability to conduct complex attacks - even far from their coastal bases. The US government has not yet officially responded to the incident, but Pentagon-affiliated sources speak of a "careful situational assessment" and a possible realignment of maritime protection missions in the region. In Israeli media, by contrast, the attack is already being described as a deliberate provocation - and a test of how far the United States is willing to expand its maritime presence in an increasingly hostile environment. For international shipping, the attack is an alarming wake-up call. The apparent decline in attacks during the first half of 2025 had led many to cautiously return to a sense of normalcy. That illusion has now ended. The Magic Seas is gone - and with it, the hope for a halfway secure Red Sea.