Key Takeaways:

• Yemen's Houthi rebels released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized in November 2023.
• The release followed mediation by Oman and coincided with a three-day ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
• The crew of 25 included nationals from the Philippines, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Romania, and Mexico, who spent over 14 months in captivity.
• The Houthis warned they would resume maritime attacks against Israeli-affiliated vessels if the ceasefire fails.
• The International Maritime Organization emphasized the need to protect innocent seafarers from geopolitical conflicts.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday the release of the crew from the Galaxy Leader, a vehicle carrier they seized in November 2023. The 25-member crew, which includes sailors from the Philippines, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, and Mexico, was released following an intervention from Oman amidst a newly established ceasefire between Israel and the Hamas group

The release, taking place after their lengthy detention in Houthi-controlled territory, was part of the Houthis' expressed solidarity with Gaza. "This step comes in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza," the Houthi leadership stated through the SABA news agency. Furthermore, Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi reaffirmed that while the group would now limit its maritime attacks only to Israeli-affiliated vessels, they remain prepared to escalate their actions should Israel break the ceasefire.

Al Jazeera reported that the release of the crew, held captive since November 2023, came as Yemen grapples with the ongoing implications of the Israel-Hamas conflict, which has disrupted numerous international shipping routes. Attacks in the Red Sea – attributed to the Houthis, who have launched over 100 incidents aimed at various vessels – have had a significant economic impact, compelling cargo transit firms to alter routes and avoid Yemeni waters.

Arsenio Dominguez, the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, welcomed the crew's release, stressing that "innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions."

The international community has observed the unfolding situation closely, with humanitarian concerns rising around the Houthis’ actions, especially in light of the designation of the group as a foreign terrorist organization by the United States. This designation, reinstated recently, was previously lifted by President Biden amid humanitarian concerns regarding the blockade and aid access in Yemen.

The ongoing challenges pose major threats to maritime safety, prompting calls for protective measures for commercial shipping. With global shipping practices heavily impacted, experts are urging for peace and stability in the region to facilitate the safe passage of maritime trade.

The official Associated Press report emphasizes that the vessel remains moored off the Yemeni coast, while the international shipping community continues to grapple with the ramifications of the Houthi attacks.

For more information, please visit: The Guardian.