Yemen's Houthi Militants Claim Missile Attack on Dutch Ship
Yemen's Houthi militants have claimed responsibility for a cruise missile attack on the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden. The strike caused a fire, substantial damage, and injured two sailors, leading to the evacuation of the 19-member crew. The Iran-aligned group stated the attack was because the ship's owner violated a ban on entry to Israeli ports, continuing their campaign of targeting commercial vessels in the crucial shipping lane in what they describe as solidarity with Palestinians.
Unpacked:
The Houthis claim to target ships linked to Israel or those violating their declared bans as a show of solidarity with Palestinians. These attacks are part of a broader campaign that aims to pressure Israel and its allies and disrupt global shipping as leverage in the ongoing regional conflict.
The Gulf of Aden is a critical maritime corridor, linking the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean via the Suez Canal. It handles about 10% of global trade, including vital oil shipments, making disruptions here highly impactful for international commerce and supply chains.
Countries like the U.S. and U.K. have increased naval patrols and conducted strikes against Houthi positions to protect commercial shipping. There is also a recommended Maritime Security Transit Corridor to focus military presence and surveillance for safer vessel passage.
Frequent attacks have forced many shipping companies to reroute vessels around southern Africa, making journeys longer and more expensive. This has led to a significant decline in traffic through the Gulf of Aden and the Suez Canal, disrupting global trade and increasing costs.