An alarming cinematic depiction captured by the Houthi militants reveals their recent ambush on a colossal freight ship in the Red Sea. The excellent quality aerial footage showcases a grand explosion powerful enough to hit the 200-meter-long vessel. The liberation ship, called ‘Magic Seas,’ operating under the flag of Liberia with Greek direction, was targeted twice back-to-back on July 6 and 7, surprisingly without any international naval intervention.
The initial assumption links the Houthi terrorists, based in Yemen, to the double frontal attack carried out using a group of vessels, along with an array of minor firearms and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs). The offensive strategy quickly escalated with the recruits resorting to the fateful use of kamikaze drones. After successfully gaining command over the cargo carrier, several explosives were set off around the hull of the ship, causing it to capsize.
The crew is believed to have deserted the imperilled ship in fear for their lives prior to the assailants boarding. The persistent attacks by the Houthis have elevated the risk for commercial ships voyaging in the Red Sea. A period of calm was broken when following the unsettling seizure of ‘Eternity C’, another Liberia-owned vessel under Greek operation on June 7 that ended tragically with four crew members losing their lives and two sustaining injuries.
The carefully orchestrated acts of terrorism against freight vessels in the Red Sea denote a heightened recurrence compared to the lull observed since the previous year’s December. The raid executed on Magic Seas was reminiscent of the strategic hijacking of the UK-owned ‘Galaxy Leader’ in November 2023; an incident that compelled the global west to take notice of the escalating threat.
The video documenting the siege included audible exchanges where a man claiming to be from the Yemeni Naval Forces commands the ship to halt. The captain defiantly refuses, maintaining that his ship is on a ‘lawful passage’. Later, desperate pleas for ‘immediate assistance’ can be heard from the captain through the ship’s radio system, broadcasting a distress signal ‘mayday mayday mayday’.
Captured on video, the Houthi insurgents are seen smartly moving in a measured military formation across the captured vessel, and then infiltrating its bridge. Several windows lining the bridge stand shattered. Three terrorists then occupy the roof, raising their Kalashnikov rifles and loudly chanting ‘Allahu Akbar’, proclaiming ‘God is the greatest,’ followed by inciting chants in Arabic:
‘Death to America, Death To Israel, Curse be upon the Jews, Victory to Islam.’ Near simultaneous explosions took place around the hull of the ship, ignited by a total of seven explosive charges. Immediately the ocean around erupts in froth as the pressure from the breaches made in the ship’s structure release considerable amounts of air. These harrowing moments are followed by the slow, but inevitable sinking of the ship into the sea.
Drone footage that followed the explosion presented a haunting image of the massive vessel slowly but steadily sinking in a levelled position. Before long, the front of the ship tipped forward and dropped rapidly beneath the sea’s surface. This dreadful occurrence unfolded about 51 nautical miles southwest of Yemen’s Houthi-controlled Hodeidah port.
The Houthi rebels have issued threats to undertake attacks on any vessels owned by corporations whose ships have previously visited Israel. Renowned maritime expert, Ami Daniel, estimates about one-sixth of worldwide shipping, or nearly 15,000 vessels, are potentially at risk due to this stance.
Amidst these developments, in May, former President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire agreement between the US and the insurgent Houthi group. He stated the US would halt air raids on the militants if they ensured US shipping routes would remain immune from their attacks. However, there are very few US commercial ships that stand to risk any actual threat from the group.
The US State Department has since denounced the ‘unprovoked Houthi terror attack on the civilian cargo vessels MV Magic Seas and MV Eternity C’, underlining the unfolding threats to the freedom of navigation and regional security. Reiterating its commitment to preserving these liberties, a spokesperson from Washington stated the country ‘will continue to take necessary action to protect freedom of navigation and commercial shipping.’
Arsenio Dominguez, the secretary-general of the International Maritime Organisation, condemned these escalated attacks as a ‘renewed violation of international law and freedom of navigation.’ He expressed his deep concern for the hapless crew and local populace falling victim to these acts of terror and the resultant environmental pollution.
In response to the increasing security threats in the region, a multinational military operation named Prosperity Guardian was launched in December 2023 which comprises twenty countries, including the US and Israel. Recent Israeli air strikes have successfully targeted multiple Houthi outposts.
Marine data suggests that Magic Seas initially departed from Zhuhai, located in China, bound for the Suez Canal. Reports confirm that the rescue of the 22 member crew of the sunk ship was accomplished from their lifeboat by a vessel managed by the United Arab Emirates.