The Netherlands called on the European Union (EU) to designate Yemen’s Houthis movement as a terrorist organisation.
This comes following the group’s claim of responsibility for an attack on the Dutch‑flagged cargo ship Minervagracht in the Gulf of Aden.
According to Reuters, the strike wounded two sailors and forced the evacuation of the vessel’s crew by helicopter.
The Houthis say they struck the ship with a cruise missile, accusing its owners of violating a ban on entry to ports in “occupied Palestine.”
In a statement, the Dutch Foreign Ministry warned: “The Houthis have long posed a serious threat to freedom of navigation.”
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Several countries, including the US, Israel, Canada and Australia, already list the Houthis movement—formally known as Ansar Allah—as a terrorist group.
If the EU agrees to add the Houthis to its terrorism list, it would open the door to sanctions, including freezing of funds and assets.
Reuters noted that the Netherlands views this as a justified response to the Houthi attacks on commercial shipping, which the Houthis claim are in support of the Palestinian cause.
