Yemen's Houthi militants claimed responsibility for a cruise missile attack on the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden this week, marking their first commercial vessel strike since September. The assault injured two sailors and forced the evacuation of all 19 crew members via helicopter, according to EU maritime authorities and the ship's operator.
Amsterdam-based Spliethoff confirmed the vessel sustained substantial damage and a fire while navigating international waters. The Houthis justified the attack by alleging the ship's owner violated a ban on entering "ports of occupied Palestine," continuing their campaign against vessels they associate with Israel.
This incident follows a lull in major Houthi maritime operations since their July 2024 attack on the Singapore-flagged Lobivia. Analysts note the group has targeted over a dozen ships since 2023, including the sinking of the Magic Seas and Eternity C last summer, significantly impacting one of the world's busiest trade corridors.
Security experts warn the resurgence of attacks could disrupt critical shipping lanes connecting Asia to Europe, with potential implications for global energy markets and supply chains. The Gulf of Aden sees nearly 20% of global oil shipments and 30% of containerized cargo annually.
