Missile attack sets Dutch cargo ship ablaze in Gulf of Aden amid ongoing Houthi strikes

A missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels ignited a fire aboard the Netherlands-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, the militaries of France and the United Kingdom confirmed. 

The incident marks the second time in recent days that the vessel has been targeted by the Iranian-backed Houthis, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

The French military’s Maritime Information, Cooperation and Awareness Centre confirmed the attack, stating, “At this time, the vessel is reported to be on fire,” and noted that a warship was en route to the scene. Local Yemeni media reported a possible ballistic missile launch from Houthi-controlled territory.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) centre, along with private security firm Ambrey, also identified the vessel as the Minervagracht. While the Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for the strike, it is common for such militant groups to delay public claims by hours or even days.

The ship’s owner, the Amsterdam-based firm Spliethoff, did not respond to requests for comment. It remains unclear why the Minervagracht was targeted twice by the Houthis.

Houthi rebels have escalated missile and drone attacks on Israel and vessels in the Red Sea, citing alleged links between these targets and Israel. These attacks are reportedly acts of solidarity with Palestinians amid the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza. However, the Joint Maritime Information Centre, overseen by the US Navy, clarified that the shipper had “no Israeli affiliations.”

The Houthi campaign has severely disrupted shipping along the critical Red Sea corridor, a route through which approximately $1 trillion (€852 billion) worth of goods annually passed before the outbreak of conflict. After briefly halting their strikes during a ceasefire in January, the Houthis became the focus of an intense, weeks-long air campaign ordered by US President Donald Trump before a ceasefire was eventually declared.

In July, the Houthis sank two vessels, resulting in the deaths of at least four crew members, with others believed to be held captive by the rebels.

By Vafa Guliyeva