Houthis claim Sunday attack on commercial ship in Red Sea

Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis claimed responsibility on Monday for an attack that damaged a commercial vessel in the Red Sea and forced its crew to abandon ship.

The Houthis "targeted the Magic Seas ship... using two unmanned boats, five ballistic and cruise missiles, and three drones" on Sunday, military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

He added that the ship was targeted for violating their ban on navigation to "occupied Palestine's ports."

The statement claimed the operation resulted in "a direct hit to the ship, water leakage, and it is now at risk of sinking."

The group added that its forces allowed the crew to safely abandon the vessel.

The Houthis said the strike came after repeated warnings were issued to the ship, which its crew reportedly disregarded.