Dutch-flagged cargo ship attacked near Yemen, catches fire
A Dutch-flagged cargo ship was likely struck by a missile and set ablaze southeast of Aden in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, maritime security company Ambrey reported. According to the Associated Press, there were no immediate reports of injuries.
Local Yemeni media first reported that a "ballistic missile" may have been launched from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen. Shortly afterward, the British military’s United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) center said a ship in the Gulf of Aden, about 235 kilometers (128 nautical miles) off Aden, witnessed “a splash and smoke in the distance, astern of the vessel.” The UKMTO described the incident as an attack and urged ships in the area to exercise caution.
In a separate alert, the UKMTO said, “A vessel has been hit by an unknown projectile. The vessel is reported to be on fire.” Ambrey later confirmed the strike, noting it mirrored a similar attack on September 23 that missed a ship.
Houthi forces in Yemen have a history of targeting international shipping. The group recently expressed solidarity with Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and has attacked Israeli targets, prompting repeated retaliatory strikes by the Israeli military on targets in Yemen. The Houthis have not immediately claimed responsibility for this incident, which can take hours or even days after an attack.
