Dutch-flagged ship struck in Gulf of Aden, suspected Houthi attack

A Netherlands-flagged cargo ship was struck and set ablaze on Monday in the Gulf of Aden after being hit by an unknown projectile, maritime authorities and security firms said, forcing its crew to abandon the vessel roughly 120 nautical miles southeast of the Yemeni port city of Aden. The incident occurred in international waters and prompted warnings for vessels in the area.

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations center reported that the ship's master saw a splash and smoke in the distance and described the incident as an attack. "A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile. The vessel is reported to be on fire," the center said. Private maritime security firm Ambrey and France's Maritime Information, Cooperation and Awareness Center identified the vessel as the Netherlands-flagged general cargo ship Minervagracht. French military authorities and maritime analysts said the strike bore signs of an anti-ship ballistic missile launch from territory controlled by Yemen's Houthi movement.

Initial bulletins indicated no immediate casualties, but later statements from the ship's owner and a European naval operation in the region said the crew of 19 had been evacuated by...