Dhaka, Oct. 2 -- Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday claimed responsibility for a missile strike that left a Dutch-flagged cargo ship ablaze and drifting in the Gulf of Aden, marking one of their most serious attacks in months.

The assault on the vessel Minervagracht took place Monday, far from the Red Sea where the Iranian-backed Houthis have already sunk four ships since November 2023.

The strike comes as Israel presses a new ground offensive in Gaza and ceasefire talks remain uncertain, while tensions across the region rise following renewed UN sanctions on Iran.

Houthi military spokesman Brig. Gen. Yahya Saree said the group fired a cruise missile at the Amsterdam-based Spliethoff-owned ship, accusing the company of breaking an "ent...