Yemen's Houthi forces take 25 sailors hostage in the Red Sea

SGGPO 11/20/2023 08:23

Yemen's Houthi forces seized a cargo ship jointly operated with Israel in a key shipping lane in the Red Sea on November 19 and took 25 sailors hostage.

The Galaxy Leader ship was just hijacked by Houthi forces. Photo: AP

According to AP, the Houthis warned that they would continue to target ships in international waters that are involved in or owned by Israelis until the end of Israel's campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. "All Israeli ships will become legitimate targets," the Houthis said.

The ship, the Galaxy Leader, is owned by a shipping company in partnership with Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, according to the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The 25 crew members are of various nationalities, including Bulgarians, Filipinos, Mexicans and Ukrainians, but there are no Israelis on board. Netanyahu’s office condemned the seizure as a “terrorist act.” The Israeli military called the hijacking a “very serious incident with global consequences.” Israeli officials have said the ship is British-owned and operated by Japan.

Ungar said he was aware of the incident but could not comment as he waited for details. The international shipping industry is complex, with a single vessel often involving multiple management companies, flags and owners spread across the globe.

The hijacking occurred about 150 kilometers (93 miles) off the coast of the Yemeni port city of Hodeida, the British military's UK Maritime Trade Operations said. The Red Sea remains a vital trade route for global shipping and energy supplies. In October, US warships repeatedly intercepted missiles or drones launched by Houthi forces north of the Red Sea.

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/luc-luong-houthi-o-yemen-bat-25-thuy-thu-o-bien-do-lam-con-tin-post714871.html