The attack on the Eternity C, which killed at least three of the crew, represents the most serious assault carried out by the Houthis in the crucial maritime trade route.

Video released by the Houthi media center shows the bulk carrier ‘Magic Seas’ being attacked and later sinking in the Iran-backed rebel group’s first attack this year on a commercial shipping vessel in the Red Sea.

The Yemeni militia, backed by Iran, said it had sunk a Liberian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea. Liberia said the attack killed two crew members.