Cargo Ship Abandoned After Multi-Weapon Attack Red Sea Near Yemen

A Liberian-flagged, Greek-owned cargo ship named Magic Seas was attacked in the Red Sea near Yemen, coming under fire from gunmen using rocket-propelled grenades and small arms, followed by strikes from four unmanned surface vessels that damaged the ship's cargo and set it ablaze. The crew prepared to abandon ship as it took on water, with no casualties reported, while an armed security team returned fire during the ongoing incident. Although no group has claimed responsibility, the attack is widely suspected to have been carried out by Yemen's Houthi rebels, who have targeted vessels in the Red Sea corridor since the Israel-Hamas conflict began in October 2023. This attack marks the first of its kind in the area since mid-April and continues a pattern of Houthi assaults on maritime traffic that has disrupted global shipping routes. The British Royal Navy-run United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations confirmed the incident and the security response, emphasizing ongoing investigations. The event adds to regional tensions, which may influence oil markets, even as OPEC+ plans to increase oil production beyond expectations.