Attack on Bulker Signals Restart of Houthis' Red Sea Campaign

Houthi boat — File image courtesy Houthi Military Media

Yemen's Houthi rebels appear to have resumed their campaign of attacks on shipping after a long hiatus. This weekend, a Liberian-flagged bulker was attacked by small craft in the Red Sea, giving new justification for major ocean carriers' decision to continue to avoid the waterway.

On Sunday afternoon, the bulker Magic Seas was approached by about half a dozen small craft at a position about 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah. The personnel aboard these boats were carrying rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, and the armed security team aboard the bulker returned fire. An RPG reportedly hit the bridge, according to security consultancy Vanguard.

EOS Risk Group adds that Houthi forces used four unmanned bomb boats against the Magic Seas. Two of the bomb boats were destroyed and two reached their target, according to EOS' Martin Kelly. The Houthis may also have launched missiles against the vessel, but this is not confirmed, he added.

Attack location (UKMTO)

As of 1500 UTC on Sunday, the cargo was reportedly on fire and the ship was taking on water. The crew decided to abandon ship at about 1545 hours and were awaiting rescue, UKMTO reported.

"[The] scale of the attack with multiple weapons types was intended to sink the ship," Kelly said.

The Greek owner of the Magic Seas, Allseas Marine, has at least three other vessels that have previously called in Israel. The Houthis have warned that they could attack the assets of shipowners who engage in business with Israeli shippers; the group's military activity has been subdued since the concerted American airstrike campaign earlier this year, and Houthi leadership agreed to cease fire on American vessels - but the Houthi threat against Israeli shipping interests was never withdrawn.

Separately, UKMTO warned Friday that another Israeli attack on previously-hit Houthi seaports could occur, and advised shipowners to "consider carefully whether the risk of ongoing navigation/operations in those areas remains judicious."