Yemen's Houthi militants have claimed responsibility for a cruise missile attack on the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht, which caught fire in the Gulf of Aden this week. The strike injured two sailors and forced a dramatic helicopter evacuation of all 19 crew members, according to EU maritime authorities. 🔥🚁
Why This Matters
The Houthis, who are aligned with Iran, said they targeted the vessel because its owner allegedly violated a ban on entering "ports of occupied Palestine." This marks their first commercial ship attack since September and follows a string of assaults on vessels linked to Israel amid the ongoing Gaza conflict. 🌍⚔️
Ripple Effects
Operator Spliethoff confirmed the ship sustained substantial damage while sailing in international waters. The incident echoes previous Houthi strikes, including July's sinking of the Magic Seas and Eternity C cargo ships. With global trade routes under threat, tensions in the Red Sea region continue to simmer. 🚨🌊
Analysts warn such attacks could disrupt critical shipping lanes, impacting everything from oil prices to everyday goods. Stay tuned for updates as maritime security remains in the spotlight. 📈🔍
