Missile Strike Leaves Dutch Cargo Ship MV MINERVAGRACHT Adrift in Red Sea

According to the EU naval task force operating under Operation Aspides, the missile strike caused a fire onboard and left the vessel in a state of uncontrolled drift. The ship, operated under the Dutch flag, was carrying 19 crew members of Russian, Ukrainian, Filipino, and Sri Lankan nationality. European naval forces responded swiftly, evacuating all crew and transferring them safely to Djibouti.

The Yemeni Armed Forces have issued a statement confirming that the Dutch-flagged cargo vessel MV MINERVAGRACHT was targeted with a cruise missile.

According to the statement, the attack was carried out in response to the ship’s violation of Yemen’s declared ban on maritime traffic to Israeli ports by its operating company. The missile strike severely damaged the vessel, placing it at risk of sinking.

Based on data compiled by the Islamic World News, this marks the 218th military operation by Yemen’s armed forces against vessels linked to Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom.

Notably, the 217th operation occurred on September 23, approximately 120 nautical miles east of the Port of Aden. While that earlier attack was not officially announced by Yemeni forces, it was referenced by Ansar Allah leader Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi in his most recent speech.

These operations are parts of Yemen’s expanding campaign to pressure Israel and its allies in response to the ongoing war in Gaza. Yemeni Armed Forces have repeatedly stated that their actions in the Red Sea are a direct reaction to Israeli war crimes, including the killing of civilians, destruction of infrastructure, and forced displacement in Gaza.

The strike on MV MINERVAGRACHT reflects Yemen’s strategic use of maritime operations to challenge regional actors complicit in the siege and bombardment of the Palestinian people.