Houthis Release Crew of Seized Commercial Vessel in Red Sea
Yemen's Houthi rebels have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vessel seized in 2023, following Omani mediation.
DUBAI: Yemen’s Houthi movement announced Wednesday that they have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier that was seized in November 2023 as part of their operations in the Red Sea.
The release followed diplomatic mediation by Oman, which resulted in the freedom of 25 crew members from diverse nationalities including the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
The Iran-backed Houthis had initially taken control of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader, citing its ties to Israel.
The vessel is linked to Israeli businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar, a prominent figure in Israel’s business community.
The seizure was part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting ships in international waters amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi forces had conducted a helicopter raid to capture the Galaxy Leader, with the incident being prominently featured in Houthi media coverage.
Propaganda materials and even a music video filmed aboard the ship were used to broadcast the group's stance and capabilities.
The Houthis' recent declaration indicates a shift in their operational focus, stating that future attacks in the Red Sea will be limited to Israeli-affiliated shipping.
This follows a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
However, they have indicated that broader actions could resume if deemed necessary.
The conflict in the Red Sea has significantly impacted maritime traffic, crucial for the movement of goods and energy between Asia and Europe.
Attacks on over 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones have resulted in a substantial decrease in traffic, affecting revenue streams for Egypt, particularly regarding the Suez Canal.
This maritime disruption occurred during the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023 with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages.
Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, with a significant proportion being women and children.
The release followed diplomatic mediation by Oman, which resulted in the freedom of 25 crew members from diverse nationalities including the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
The Iran-backed Houthis had initially taken control of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader, citing its ties to Israel.
The vessel is linked to Israeli businessman Abraham “Rami” Ungar, a prominent figure in Israel’s business community.
The seizure was part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting ships in international waters amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
Houthi forces had conducted a helicopter raid to capture the Galaxy Leader, with the incident being prominently featured in Houthi media coverage.
Propaganda materials and even a music video filmed aboard the ship were used to broadcast the group's stance and capabilities.
The Houthis' recent declaration indicates a shift in their operational focus, stating that future attacks in the Red Sea will be limited to Israeli-affiliated shipping.
This follows a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip.
However, they have indicated that broader actions could resume if deemed necessary.
The conflict in the Red Sea has significantly impacted maritime traffic, crucial for the movement of goods and energy between Asia and Europe.
Attacks on over 100 merchant vessels using missiles and drones have resulted in a substantial decrease in traffic, affecting revenue streams for Egypt, particularly regarding the Suez Canal.
This maritime disruption occurred during the Israel-Hamas war, which began in October 2023 with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel, resulting in the death of 1,200 people and the capture of 250 hostages.
Israel's subsequent military operations in Gaza have reportedly resulted in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local health officials, with a significant proportion being women and children.
