HOUTHI ATTACKS RESUME IN THE RED SEA
Two ships have been attacked in the Bab al-Mandeb strait this week, both about 51 NM west of Al Hudaydah, Yemen. On Monday, the Liberian-flagged Eternity C sustained an hours-long attack in which crew members were tragically killed and wounded. This followed a similar incident on Sunday, when the Liberian-flagged vessel Magic Seas was attacked and sunk, all crew were safely rescued by another merchant vessel.
While Yemen’s Houthi militia has only claimed responsibility for the Magic Seas attack, both ships were attacked in a similar manner, suggesting that the Houthis are behind both incidents. In a statement, the Houthis said that because the company that owned Magic Seas had other ships call at Israeli ports, it was a “legitimate target.”
Members are invited to consider and circulate the most recent JMIC information note at Annex A, which gives an incident report for the 7 July Eternity C attack and provides guidance for vessels transiting the area and the maritime industry, which should be considered for all potential voyages through the affected area. The most recent report on maritime security in the Middle East from Risk Intelligence is attached in Annex B.
The Secretariat continues to monitor the situation and will provide updates to members as appropriate. In accordance with the scope of the agreement between ICS and Risk Intelligence, members are requested not to circulate Annex B further in its entirety. Members may precis the report or use extracts from Annex B to help advise members on key issues or to assist in enquiries. In such cases, Risk Intelligence should be acknowledged as the source of the information.
MC(25)100 -Annex A – 118 JMIC Information Note _08 JULY_2025