Houthi attacks on shipping in the Red Sea have returned with a vengeance over the past week. The group attacked and sunk both the Greek-owned bulk carriers Magic Seas (IMO: 9736169) and Eternity C (IMO: 9588249), killing at least three sailors and taking multiple hostages in their first attacks in the Red Sea since December.

It comes on the back of a fragile truce agreed between their ally Iran, the US, and Israel following 12 days of warfare (MEES, 27 June) and despite ongoing negotiations in Doha for a possible ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. (CONTINUED - 1637 WORDS)