Hey fam, big news on the high seas 🌊🚢: Yemen's Houthi militants have claimed they fired a cruise missile at the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht, which burst into flames in the Gulf of Aden. Here’s the lowdown👇
🗓️ When & Where: The strike happened on Monday in international waters of the Gulf of Aden. The Amsterdam-based operator Spliethoff confirmed the ship suffered major damage and caught fire.
💥 What Went Down: The Houthi military spokesperson said they launched a cruise missile, injuring two sailors and forcing a helicopter rescue of all 19 crew members. Thankfully, all were evacuated safely.
🌍 Why It Matters: Since 2023, the Iran-aligned group has been targeting vessels in the Red Sea and nearby lanes they link to Israel, in solidarity with Palestinians amid the Gaza conflict. They hit the Minervagracht after its owner allegedly violated an “entry ban to the ports of occupied Palestine.”
📈 Context Check: This marks the first Houthi strike on a commercial ship since September, when they targeted the Israeli-owned tanker Scarlet Ray near Yanbu. In July, they sank the Magic Seas and Eternity C in the Red Sea. The last Gulf of Aden attack was on the Singapore-flagged Lobivia in July 2024.
⚖️ What’s Next: These incidents highlight growing risks for global shipping routes, affecting everything from fuel prices to supply chains. We’ll keep you posted as this story develops! ✌️
Reference(s):
Yemen's Houthis claim responsibility for attack on Dutch-flagged ship
cgtn.com
