News - Yemen: Yemen's Armed Forces announced on Monday the targeting of the Magic Seas vessel, which belongs to a company that violated the ban on entering the ports of occupied Palestine.

In an official statement, the Armed Forces clarified that the Navy, the Rocketry Force, and the Air Force targeted the ship using two unmanned boats, five ballistic and cruise missiles, and three drones.

The statement confirmed that the ship was directly hit, resulting in water leakage and putting it at risk of sinking. The Armed Forces allowed the crew to safely evacuate. The operation, carried out in the Red Sea, followed repeated warnings issued by the Yemeni Navy to the vessel, which the crew ignored.

The Armed Forces reiterated that they will not hesitate to use appropriate force to prevent any ship belonging to this company — which has dealt with the Zionist enemy and violated the ban on accessing occupied Palestinian ports — from proceeding. They emphasized that vessels of this company are considered legitimate targets anywhere they can be reached, and the company bears full responsibility.

The statement also reaffirmed that military operations will continue to target the heart of the Israeli entity in occupied Palestine, as well as prevent Israeli navigation in both the Red Sea and Arabian Sea, and disrupt operations at the port of Umm al-Rashrash, until the aggression against Gaza ends and the blockade is lifted.

Earlier, the UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) reported that 
a merchant vessel caught fire after being targeted by armed men aboard small boats off Yemen’s western coast, near Hodeidah. Small arms and rocket-propelled grenades were used, prompting a firefight with the ship’s security team.

UK-based firm Ambrey reported that eight skiffs surrounded the vessel, which was later struck by two drone boats while two others were intercepted. The attack follows a series of Yemeni operations targeting Israeli-linked or bound vessels.

Since October 2023, Yemen has launched repeated strikes in support of Gaza, vowing to continue until Israel halts its military offensive and blockade. The conflict has also expanded to include US and British vessels following Western airstrikes on Yemen.