Greek-Owned Ship Abandoned After Terror Attack in the Red Sea, Highlighting Ongoing Houthi Threat

Crew members of a Greek-owned, Liberian-flagged cargo ship were forced to abandon their vessel on Sunday night after it came under a severe and deliberate attack in the Red Sea and began taking on water. The ship, identified as the Magic Seas, was struck by explosive-laden drone boats following initial assaults with small arms and rocket-propelled grenades. The incident occurred approximately 100 kilometers southwest of Hodeida, Yemen, an area controlled by the Houthi rebels.

While the Houthis did not formally claim responsibility, their media channels acknowledged the attack. The Houthis, widely recognized as a terrorist organization, are backed and funded by Iran, which supplies them with advanced military technologies, including missiles, drones, and sea mines. They have repeatedly claimed that their attacks on maritime vessels are a reaction to Israel’s defensive actions against Hamas in Gaza. However, it is evident that many of the ships targeted, including the Magic Seas, have no connection to Israel whatsoever. These indiscriminate assaults expose the true nature of the Houthis as a violent terror group that spreads chaos and endangers global shipping.

Security reports reveal that the Magic Seas had an armed security team on board that initially repelled some of the attackers. Nevertheless, the ship was overwhelmed, set ablaze, and began to sink, leading to the evacuation of its crew. Yemen’s exiled government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia and other regional allies, immediately condemned the Houthis for this act of terrorism, emphasizing that they operate as a dangerous extension of Iran’s efforts to destabilize the region.

This violent attack comes during a sensitive time in the Middle East. Talks of a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas continue, while the international community weighs how to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions after recent escalations. In parallel, Israel announced strikes on Houthi-controlled sites in Yemen shortly before the maritime assault, further highlighting the interconnected tensions in the region.

The Red Sea, a vital trade corridor that typically handles around $1 trillion worth of goods annually, has suffered greatly from Houthi aggression. Between late 2023 and early 2025, the Houthis targeted over a hundred vessels, sinking two and killing four sailors, leading to major disruptions in global trade. Their actions have caused significant fear among international shipping companies and led to rerouting of vessels, resulting in increased costs and delays.

Although the Houthis paused some attacks earlier this year, they resumed after American-led military operations against their positions. Despite their public statements tying these attacks to the conflict in Gaza, the reality is that they indiscriminately target civilian and commercial ships with no connection to Israel, further demonstrating their commitment to spreading terror rather than advancing any genuine political cause.

Meanwhile, Yemen continues to suffer from a prolonged internal conflict between the Iran-backed Houthis and the internationally recognized government, supported by a Saudi-led coalition. The country remains in a state of humanitarian crisis, with millions affected by the fighting.

The owners of the Magic Seas have not commented on the incident, and while the U.S. military acknowledged awareness of the attack, they provided no additional details. Maritime authorities continue to urge extreme caution in the Red Sea and surrounding waters, warning of the ongoing threat posed by the Houthis and their backers.