Houthis Claim Second Merchant Ship Attack Amid Red Sea Tensions

Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have claimed responsibility for attacks on two civilian cargo vessels, the MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C, in the Red Sea, sinking at least one merchant ship amid escalating tensions in the key maritime corridor. The attack involved a combination of drone and missile strikes, gunfire, rocket-propelled grenades, and uncrewed surface vessels, forcing the crews to abandon ship and resulting in the tragic loss of three mariners. The United States condemned these unprovoked assaults, emphasizing the ongoing threat posed by the Houthis to freedom of navigation, regional economic stability, and maritime security, and vowed to continue protecting commercial shipping in the area. The MV Magic Seas, carrying iron and fertilizers from China to Türkiye, suffered severe damage including flooding and fires, though independent verification of the ship's sinking remains unconfirmed. The European Union's Operation Aspides has also warned of explosion risks near the damaged vessel, underlining the dangers to commercial shipping in the region. These attacks mark a resumption of Houthi operations against maritime targets after several months of relative calm in the strategic Red Sea shipping lanes.