Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a vessel seized in November 2023. The release was facilitated by Oman and coincides with a request from Hamas. The rebels indicated their intent to limit future attacks on shipping only to Israeli-affiliated vessels, reflecting changes in the conflict landscape following the ceasefire in Gaza.
Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced the release of the crew from the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier they seized in November 2023 amid escalating attacks on international shipping linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict. The release followed mediation efforts by Oman, known for its long-standing role as an intermediary with the Houthis. While Oman has yet to confirm the release, its Royal Air Force yesterday conducted a flight to Yemen.
The Houthis stated that the release of the 25 crew members, hailing from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico, was facilitated upon a request from Hamas. They indicated that this action supports the recent ceasefire agreement in Gaza, demonstrating their intent to align operations with changing hostilities in the region. The capture of the Galaxy Leader was part of a broader campaign targeting vessels in response to its connection with Israeli interests.
Notably, the Galaxy Leader is linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar. The Houthi operation against the vessel involved a helicopter-borne raid, which they have promoted in various propaganda outputs. Effective this past Monday, the Houthis have indicated a shift in their strategy, now intending to restrict their attacks solely to vessels affiliated with Israel, contingent on the continuation of the ceasefire in Gaza.
The ongoing Houthi campaign has significantly dampened commercial shipping through the Red Sea, impacting crucial trade routes for cargo and energy supplies between Asia and Europe, consequently affecting Egypt’s revenue from the Suez Canal. Since the outbreak of conflict in October 2023, the Houthis have launched attacks on over 100 merchant vessels, illustrating their capacity to disrupt international shipping in the region.
The situation regarding Yemen’s Houthi rebels is emblematic of the complexities arising from the Israel-Hamas conflict. Since the beginning of hostilities, the Houthis have leveraged their regional influence and military capabilities to impact international shipping lanes in the Red Sea. Their actions reflect broader geopolitical tensions and highlight the humanitarian implications of the ongoing conflicts in Gaza and Yemen, as well as potential economic ramifications for several nations dependent on sea trade.
The release of the Galaxy Leader crew marks a significant yet cautious step amidst the complex dynamics of the Israel-Hamas conflict and the Houthi rebels’ maritime operations. While the rebels have pledged to limit their future attacks to Israeli-affiliated vessels, the broader implications for international shipping remain concerning, as the threat of disruptions continues to loom over critical maritime routes.
Original Source: apnews.com
