Yemeni Armed Forces struck the cargo ship Minervagracht with a missile in the Gulf of Aden, igniting a fire and reaffirming their declared maritime blockade in solidarity with Gaza.

The Yemeni Armed Forces, affiliated with the Ansarallah movement, announced that their naval units carried out a military operation targeting the cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden. The vessel was reportedly hit by a winged missile, sparking a fire on board and placing the ship at risk of sinking, according to a military statement.

The Minervagracht, a general cargo carrier, was struck approximately 120 nautical miles southeast of Yemen’s port city of Aden. British maritime security firm Ambrey and the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) confirmed that the ship caught fire following the incident.

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Brigadier-General Yahya Saree, spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, stated that the attack was carried out in direct response to the ship’s violation of its owning company’s decision to prohibit entry to ports in occupied Palestine. He emphasized that the operation was an act of solidarity with the Palestinian people and a response to “the crimes of genocide and starvation committed in Gaza.”

Saree reaffirmed that the Yemeni Armed Forces are committed to preventing Israeli maritime activity in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea. He warned shipping companies of the consequences of disregarding previously announced restrictions.

“The targeting of the Minervagracht confirms Yemen’s determination to enforce its declared maritime blockade on the commercial traffic of the Israeli occupation,” Saree said. He added that the Yemeni Armed Forces, led by Ansarallah, will continue their military operations until Israeli aggression ceases and the blockade on Gaza is lifted.

(PC, AJA)