Video Shows Dramatic Houthi Ship Attack

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released dramatic footage capturing the moment they sank the Greek-owned cargo ship Magic Seas in the Red Sea, highlighting the growing threat to commercial shipping in the region.

The video, published days after the attack, shows the vessel being struck by explosives, boarded by militants, and ultimately sinking following a series of coordinated assaults.

Newsweek has reached out to the Pentagon for comment.

Why It Matters

The Magic Seas attack underscores the threat posed by the Iranian-aligned Houthi militants to international shipping in the Red Sea, a critical artery of global trade. The area has become a battleground as the Houthis, citing solidarity with Palestinians, target vessels in response to Israel’s war against Hamas in Gaza.

Their actions have prompted U.S. and Israeli retaliatory strikes, broadening the conflict and destabilizing maritime security across the region. Despite multinational patrols, the Red Sea remains a flashpoint where regional grievances now threaten global commerce, with rising tensions risking to draw the U.S. into a wider confrontation.

What to Know

The footage, published late Tuesday by the Houthi’s media wing, depicts their June 6–7 attack on the Magic Seas. The video begins with the Houthis allegedly contacting the cargo vessel on VHF Channel 16, the international maritime distress frequency, demanding it to slow and stop. The crew refuses. Shortly after, explosions strike the starboard midsection, possibly from unmanned surface vessels (USV) used by the militants.

Footage then shows four masked, armed militants running unopposed down the deck. Later, they pose with weapons atop the deckhouse in what appears to be a staged display.

Drone shots reveal extensive hull damage, including multiple blackened blast marks and at least seven underwater explosions breaching the hull below the waterline. The ship eventually lists and sinks bow-first in calm seas, marking the end of the attack.

Ambrey, a UK-based maritime security firm, confirmed the Magic Seas sank the day after the attack. The incident occurred roughly 51 nautical miles southwest of Hodeidah, a major Red Sea port held by the Houthis.

How Did the Attack Unfold?

According to Greek authorities, the assault involved eight speedboats carrying armed militants, four USVs, and multiple anti-ship missiles. The ship’s private security team destroyed two USVs, but two others detonated against the hull. Three missiles were launched; two made contact.

All 22 crewmembers—17 Filipinos, one Romanian, one Vietnamese, and three Sri Lankan security guards—were rescued by Yemeni Coast Guard forces.

Further Attacks

On Monday, the Houthis launched another coordinated assault, this time on the bulker Eternity C, killing three crew members and disabling the ship. According to the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations centre (UKMTO), run by the British military, “search and rescue operations commenced overnight” following the attack. So far, five crew members have been rescued, while two others remain wounded.

MarineTraffic’s latest update on X reveals that the Eternity C is currently drifting near Bab al-Mandab in the southern Red Sea.

What People Are Saying

Brigadier General Yahya Saree, the Houthi military spokesperson: “We will not hesitate to use appropriate force to prevent any ship belonging to this company that has dealt with the Zionist enemy and violated the ban on entry to occupied Palestinian ports.”

UKMTO spokesperson: “Search and rescue operations commenced overnight following the attack on Eternity C. We continue to work with regional authorities to support maritime safety and security”

What Happens Next

Greek authorities continue to coordinate with the European Union‘s Operation ASPIDES, which escorts merchant vessels through the Red Sea. As Houthi attacks intensify, pressure is building for a broader international response. The U.S. Navy has ramped up patrols and carried out precision strikes on Houthi missile and drone sites, signaling a growing willingness to once again use force to protect global shipping. With Greece, the EU, and the U.S. now actively engaged, the Red Sea may become an increasingly militarized zone.