NGOCSTIP – Yemen’s Houthis release the crew of the Galaxy Leader cargo ship after a grueling 14-month captivity, marking a critical moment in the Red Sea conflict. Omani mediators facilitated the release of the 25-strong crew, which includes 17 Filipinos, three Ukrainians, two Bulgarians, two Mexicans, and a Romanian, amidst a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas. This development has brought relief to the crew’s families and the international maritime community, highlighting the importance of diplomacy in resolving geopolitical tensions.
The ordeal began in November 2023, when Houthi militants stormed the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea. Armed fighters descended from a helicopter flying Yemeni and Palestinian flags, commandeering the vessel off the coast of Yemen. The Galaxy Maritime Ltd owns the Galaxy Leader, a Bahamian-flagged ship, and Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar connects to it through Ray Car Carriers.
The ship transported vehicles and became one of dozens of vessels the Houthis targeted during their campaign in the Red Sea, which they claimed supported Hamas in its conflict with Israel. The attack not only disrupted maritime trade but also forced some of the world’s largest shipping and oil companies to suspend transit through the Red Sea, one of the most critical global trade routes.
“Read about: Interpol Cracks Down on Global Human Trafficking Networks in Southeast Asia”
The release of the crew was made possible through negotiations mediated by Oman, a key player in facilitating dialogue in the region. According to Houthi-owned Al Masirah TV, the crew was handed over to Omani mediators, marking the end of their prolonged captivity.
The freed Filipino seafarers are now under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat, Oman. Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. expressed his relief and joy in a statement, saying, “The crew will reunite with their loved ones in the Philippines very soon.”
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other global bodies welcomed the release. IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez stated, “Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions.”
The timing of the crew’s release is significant, as it comes just days after a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, which ended 15 months of conflict in Gaza. The Houthis had previously declared that they would only halt their campaign in the Red Sea once Israel ceased its offensive in Gaza.
The United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, praised the development, describing it as “heartwarming” and a sign that the Houthis had ended the arbitrary detention of innocent civilians.
“Read more: Youth-Led Movements: Driving Forces for Social Equality”
The Houthis, a major faction in Yemen’s civil war that has persisted for over a decade, played a prominent role in the broader Middle Eastern conflicts during the past year. Their actions extended beyond targeting vessels in the Red Sea; they also launched a series of missile attacks against Israel.
While many of these attacks were intercepted by Israel’s advanced air defense systems, they prompted retaliatory airstrikes by the Israeli military. The United States and the United Kingdom also carried out strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen in response to their escalating aggression.
The hijacking of the Galaxy Leader and other vessels in the Red Sea underscored the vulnerability of global maritime trade routes to regional conflicts. The Houthis’ actions forced disruptions in one of the world’s most crucial maritime corridors, affecting shipping and oil transportation.
The release of the crew marks a critical step toward restoring stability in the region, but it also highlights the ongoing risks posed by geopolitical tensions in the Red Sea. For the crew and their families, this marks the end of a harrowing chapter, while for the international community, it serves as a reminder of the need for continued vigilance and diplomacy in safeguarding maritime security.
