The Houthis have controlled much of north-western Yemen since 2014, when they ousted the internationally-recognised government from the capital, Sanaa, and sparked a devastating civil war.
Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza in October 2023, the Houthis have regularly launched missiles at Israel and attacked commercial ships in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying they are acting in solidarity with the Palestinians.
They have so far sunk two vessels, seized a third - the Galaxy Star - and killed four crew members. The 25-strong crew of Galaxy Leader were released in January 2025.
In May, the Houthis agreed a ceasefire deal with the US following seven weeks of intensified US strikes on Yemen in response to the attacks on international shipping.
However, the group said the agreement did not include an end to attacks on Israel, which has conducted multiple rounds of retaliatory strikes on Yemen.
In May, Israeli navy ships struck targets in Hudaydah, which is the main entry point for food and other humanitarian aid for millions of Yemenis.
Also on Sunday, a Liberian-flagged, Greek-operated bulk carrier Magic Seas came under attack by Houthi forces in the Red Sea.
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) agency said the ship was 51 nautical miles (94km) south of Hudaydah when it hit by gunfire and self-propelled grenades fired from multiple small boats. Armed security teams on board returned fire, it added.
Maritime security firm Ambrey said the Magic Seas was later also targeted with four unmanned surface vehicles, or sea drones, and missiles. Two of the drones hit the port side of the vessel, damaging it cargo and causing a fire, it added.
The UKMTO said the crew were safe after being rescued by a passing merchant vessel.
Sarea said on Monday afternoon that the Houthis had targeted the Magic Seas with sea drones and missiles because it"belongs to a company that violated the entry ban to the ports of occupied Palestine", without providing any further details.
He added that the vessel was now at risk of sinking as a result of a direct leak, and that the Houthis had"allowed the crew to safely disembark".
