We welcome the long-awaited release of 25 MV Galaxy Leader crewmembers from Bulgaria (2), Mexico (2), the Philippines (17), Romania (1), and Ukraine (3). The United States is deeply grateful to the Sultanate of Oman for its critical and timely efforts to secure the crew's release.
The Houthis have been illegally detaining the crew since the forcible seizure of their vessel more than a year ago. The MV Galaxy Leader itself, which is stolen property, has not yet been handed over by the Houthis. Houthi attacks threaten the lives of seafarers, hinder the delivery of vital humanitarian aid and damage the economy throughout the region.
We must not be distracted by this lack of action by the Houthis. In Yemen, the Houthis continue to round up and detain hundreds of local UN, NGO and diplomatic staff in appalling conditions, including dozens of current and former Yemeni employees of the US Government who are being illegally detained on false charges. The Houthis have also stated that they will continue to carry out illegal attacks in the Red Sea against some vessels associated with Israel. The Houthis must permanently end all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release all hundreds of detainees.
state.dov/ gnews - RoZ
ILLUSTRATION PHOTO - commons.wikimedia
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