Houthis escalate attacks as Dutch cargo ship set ablaze in Gulf of Aden
By isabelle // 2025-09-30
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  • Houthis expand attacks beyond Israeli-linked ships, striking a Dutch cargo vessel in the Gulf of Aden with no clear ties to Israel.
  • Two crew members were critically injured as the ship was set ablaze and abandoned, marking the second attack on the same vessel in a week.
  • The Houthis’ campaign has now disrupted $1 trillion in annual trade, sinking ships and forcing costly reroutes around Africa.
  • Western warships scramble to respond as the Houthis warn any foreign intervention will be met with force, raising fears of direct confrontation.
  • With attacks spreading beyond the Red Sea, the Houthis signal no commercial vessel is safe, escalating risks of a full-blown maritime war.
The Red Sea crisis just took another dangerous turn. A Netherlands-flagged cargo ship, the Minervagracht, was struck by an explosive device and set ablaze in the Gulf of Aden on Monday, marking the second attack on the vessel in a week. The incident, which wounded two crew members and left the ship adrift, suggests the Iran-backed Houthis are expanding their maritime campaign beyond Israeli-linked targets despite no clear connection to Israel. The Amsterdam-based operator, Spliethoff, confirmed the attack, stating the ship was hit by an "unidentified explosive device" while in international waters. The Minervagracht, a small cargo vessel built in 2011 with a capacity of 700 containers, had already been targeted on September 23 in an unsuccessful strike. This time, the damage was severe enough to force the crew of 19—from Russia, Ukraine, the Philippines, and Sri Lanka—to abandon ship. Two sailors were injured, one critically, and airlifted to Djibouti for medical treatment. The Houthis, who have waged a relentless campaign against shipping in the Red Sea since 2023, initially framed their attacks as retaliation for Israel’s military operations in Gaza. Yet this latest strike raises questions: the Minervagracht had "no Israeli affiliations," according to the U.S. Navy’s Joint Maritime Information Center. So why was it targeted? The answer may lie in the Houthis’ broader strategy. Since late 2023, they’ve launched more than 100 missile and drone attacks on commercial vessels, sinking at least four ships and killing multiple sailors. Their actions have effectively paralyzed one of the world’s most critical trade routes, through which $1 trillion in goods once flowed annually. Now, with this attack in the Gulf of Aden taking place farther from their usual Red Sea hunting grounds, they appear to be testing new boundaries. A Western warship is en route to assess the situation, but the bigger question remains: How far will this escalation go? The Houthis have already warned that any foreign intervention in the Red Sea will be met with force. Mohammed Abdul Salam, a senior Houthi negotiator, said that their attacks are "a response to any new coalition’s potential aggression." With the U.S. leading a 10-nation force to protect shipping, the stage is set for a direct confrontation.

Expanding targets

The Houthis have shown remarkable resilience. Despite years of airstrikes by a Saudi-U.S.-UAE coalition, they’ve not only survived but thrived, now posing a direct threat to global commerce. Their weapons, which are supplied by Iran, include anti-ship ballistic missiles, kamikaze drones, and now, apparently, explosive-laden drone boats. What’s particularly alarming is their shifting justification for attacks. Initially, they claimed to target only Israeli-linked ships. But as this incident proves, their criteria have broadened. The Minervagracht was neither Israeli-owned nor bound for Israel, yet it was struck twice in a week. This isn’t just about Gaza anymore. It’s about control. The Houthis have effectively weaponized the Red Sea, forcing shipping companies to reroute vessels around Africa at massive cost. And now, with attacks spreading into the Gulf of Aden, they’re signaling that no commercial vessel is safe.

The human cost of geopolitical games

Behind the headlines, real lives are at stake. The Minervagracht’s crew—sailors from four different nations—now face injury, trauma, and uncertainty. One remains in critical condition. Meanwhile, the Houthis hold an unknown number of hostages from previous attacks, including the sinking of the Magic Seas and Eternity C in July. The U.S. and its allies have responded with airstrikes, but the Houthis show no signs of backing down. If anything, they’re doubling down. Their message is clear: Any nation interfering in their campaign will face consequences. The Red Sea was already a powder keg. Now, with attacks spreading into the Gulf of Aden, the risk of a wider conflict looms. The Houthis have tied their actions to Gaza, but their real goal may be far broader: disrupting global trade, challenging Western naval power, and asserting dominance in the region. One thing is certain: The Minervagracht won’t be the last ship in their crosshairs. And if the U.S. and its allies push back harder, we could be looking at a full-blown maritime war that neither side seems willing to de-escalate. Sources for this article include: ZeroHedge.com APNews.com Reuters.com USNews.com
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