Sanaa [Yemen], July 10: Yemen's Houthi rebels have released dramatic video footage showing the bulk carrier Magic Seas sinking in the Red Sea, further escalating tensions in one of the world's most critical shipping lanes.
The video shows multiple explosions hitting the 200-meter-long, Liberia-flagged vessel, which then slowly submerges beneath the waves.
The Houthi military claimed responsibility for the attack on Sunday and said it used drone boats and explosive devices attached to the ship's hull.
The EU's Operation Atalanta, monitoring piracy in the Indian Ocean, confirmed that the attackers approached in small boats and that the ship's 22-member crew abandoned the vessel after a fire broke out.
All of them were later rescued by a nearby merchant ship, according to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency.
Senior Houthi official Ali al-Dailami described the attack as a "clear message of deterrence" aimed at countries and companies doing business with Israel.
Since the outbreak of the Gaza war in October 2023, the Iran-backed Houthis have targeted commercial ships that they say have Israeli ties.
Later on Wednesday, the Houthis also claimed said they had sunk another cargo vessel, the Eternity C, which they said was en route to the Israeli port of Eilat. They claimed that the operation involved six ballistic and cruise missiles, plus an unmanned boat.
They vowed to continue their naval campaign until the Gaza blockade is lifted and Israeli operations cease.
Source: Qatar Tribune