Overview

• The Iran-backed Houthis used bomb-carrying sea drones and armed speedboats to strike the Magic Seas on July 6 and the bulk carrier Eternity C on July 7–8.
• At least two crew members were killed in the Eternity C attack—the first seafarer fatalities since June 2024 and bringing total Red Sea deaths to six.
• Search-and-rescue operations continue after the Eternity C was damaged and reportedly sank or went adrift off Yemen’s Hodeidah port, with several crew rescued and others still missing.
• The Houthis say they are targeting ships linked to Israel as leverage over the Gaza conflict, declaring vessels with Israeli ties “legitimate targets.”
• The US Embassy in Yemen, the EU’s Operation Aspides and UK Maritime Trade Operations have condemned the attacks and strengthened naval patrols to deter further strikes.