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."