Yemen’s Houthi group claimed responsibility on Monday for an attack on the Greek-owned Liberia-flagged bulk carrier Magic Seas in the Red Sea, which has left the vessel taking on water. Meanwhile, a second merchant ship has been attacked by multiple rocket propelled grenades from small craft. The strike occurred 51 nautical miles west of Al Hudaydah in Yemen. It’s the second time in 24 hours a ship has been attacked off the coast of Yemen. At the time of writing this article, no one has claimed responsibility for the second strike.

In a televised statement, the spokesperson of the Yemeni armed forces Yahya Sare’e said the vessel Magic Seas was hit by “two unmanned boats, five ballistic and cruise missiles, and three drones.”

“The ship sustained a direct hit, water leaked into it, and is now at risk of sinking,” Sare’e said. “Our forces allowed the crew to safely disembark.”

The Houthi spokesman said the Magic Seas and its affiliated company violated what the group called a “ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.” He did not name the vessel’s owner or operator.

Sare’e added that the attack followed several warnings sent to the ship, which he said were ignored by the crew.

The crew of the bulk carrier Magic Seas was rescued following the attack in the Southern Red Sea, according to a report released yesterday by the European Union Naval Force – Operation ATALANTA.

EUNAVFOR Operation ATALANTA confirmed the successful coordination and facilitation of the rescue of the Magic Seas crew.

The Maritime Security Centre Indian Ocean (MSCIO) received a report of an incident 51 nautical miles southwest of Al Hudaydah, Yemen.

“The vessel was attacked by multiple small ships using different types of weaponry. Due to the damage suffered, which caused a fire on board, the crew abandoned the merchant vessel,” EUNAVFOR said.

EUNAVAFOR ATALANTA noted that it played a key role in enabling the safe recovery of all 22 personnel from the abandoned Magic Seas by establishing direct communication with the designated person ashore of the company operating a passing merchant vessel that has rescued the crew.

Following the rescue, ATALANTA liaised with the Djibouti Coast Guard to ensure the smooth coordination of the crew’s disembarkation.

This outcome, it said, was made possible through close cooperation between ATALANTA, United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) and Joint Maritime Information Center (JMIC).

The International Association of Dry Cargo Shipowners (INTERCARGO) condemned the recent armed attack on the Magic Seas, a bulk carrier operating off the coast of Yemen.

John Xylas, chairman, INTERCARGO, urged all relevant authorities to act decisively to protect those at sea and uphold international law.

Message From the Chairman of INTERCARGO John Xylas:

“Seafarers are not targets.

“We are deeply shocked by the attack on the Magic Seas and our thoughts are with the crew. These are innocent people, simply doing their jobs, keeping global trade moving. No one at sea should ever face such violence.

“The safety of seafarers must come first. We urge all relevant authorities to act decisively to protect those at sea and uphold international law.

“INTERCARGO stands firmly with our members and all those affected.”

The incident comes two months after the US announced a truce with the Iran-backed Houthis aimed at halting attacks on shipping in the region.

In May, the group cemented a ceasefire with the United States that ended weeks of intense American strikes against it, with the White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt writing on X (former twitter): “Massive WIN. President Trump promised to restore the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, and he used great American strength to swiftly deliver on that promise. The world is safer with President Trump in charge.”

Earlier Omani Foreign Minister Badr Albusaidi confirmed with a short statement in social media that efforts have resulted in an end to the conflict between the two sides.

However, the Houthis pledged last month to resume operations in the region after the US attacked their main backer, Iran.

The threat came just hours after U.S. forces launched a series of strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.