Aden – France has strongly condemned the recent missile attack by Yemen’s Houthi rebels on the Dutch-flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden, calling it a “serious violation of international maritime law.”

The vessel was struck on Monday by a cruise missile launched by the Iran-backed Houthi group, leaving the ship ablaze and adrift approximately 128 nautical miles southeast of Aden. Two crew members were injured, and all 19 sailors were evacuated in a joint rescue operation led by the European naval mission Aspides, in which France plays a key role.

In a statement issued by the French Foreign Ministry, officials expressed solidarity with the Netherlands and emphasized the importance of maintaining maritime security in the region. “France condemns this unacceptable attack on a civilian vessel and reaffirms its commitment to freedom of navigation,” the ministry said.

The Houthis claimed responsibility for the strike, alleging that the ship’s operator had violated a ban on entry to Israeli ports. However, maritime authorities have stated that the Minervagracht had no known ties to Israel.

France’s involvement in the Aspides mission was instrumental in providing medical assistance and ensuring the safe evacuation of the crew. The incident marks one of the most serious Houthi assaults in the Gulf of Aden in over a year, raising concerns about the group’s expanding reach and continued threats to international shipping.

European leaders are now considering additional sanctions against the Houthis, including placing the group on the EU’s terrorism list.