The Houthi militia in Yemen has claimed responsibility for attacking the Dutch cargo ship MV Minervagracht, leaving two crew members injured, Dutch officials said. According to NOS, the incident has prompted calls from the Netherlands for the European Union to classify the Houthis as a terrorist organization. The Houthis claimed the attack was because the ship had visited one or more Israeli ports.
Caretaker Foreign Minister Van Weel described the group on X as “a serious threat to free navigation.” He urged EU member states to consider additional sanctions against the Shiite militia, which controls much of Yemen.
The two injured crew members are receiving medical treatment in Djibouti. All 19 crew members were evacuated shortly after the attack on Monday by the EU naval mission Aspides. None of the crew were Dutch nationals; they are from the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Russia, and Ukraine.
The ship’s owner, Spliethoff, said the vessel is heavily damaged but stable. “It is in a condition to be towed,” a company spokesperson told NOS. The fire on board has been extinguished, and the company is coordinating with international authorities and salvage operations to remove the vessel from the area.
Spliethoff declined to confirm whether the Minervagracht had visited Israeli ports but emphasized that the vessel operated in areas permitted under international law and was not carrying cargo.
The Houthi militia has reportedly targeted roughly 100 vessels since the start of the Gaza war, alleging links to Israel. Four ships have been sunk in total. Earlier in July, two passing cargo ships were sunk in quick succession by the Houthis. Due to ongoing attacks in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, a significant portion of international shipping has been avoiding the area.
