UAE calls for immediate release of ship hijacked by Houthis

The United Arab Emirates government on Monday called for the release of the ship Rwabee and its crew, which were hijacked by the Iran-backed Houthi militia on January 3.

For the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app.

A letter to the UN Security Council signed by Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, said the ship was carrying medical equipment for a field hospital on Socotra Island.

It added that 11 people of different nationalities are onboard Rwabee.

The letter stated that the Houthis had previously targeted at least 13 commercial ships with explosive-laden boats and mines and had hijacked at least three in the Red Sea.

The UAE delegate emphasized that Houthi piracy raises real concerns for the freedom and security of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea.

Rwabee was hijacked by the Houthis on the night of January 3, 25 nautical miles west of the Yemeni ports of Salif and Hodeidah.

The tracking system on board the ship was suspended at a distance of 18 nautical miles from Salif port several hours later.

The ship was on its way from Socotra Island in Yemen to the port of Jazan in Saudi Arabia, carrying equipment leased by a Saudi company used in a field hospital on the island, the letter said.

Onboard were seven Indian sailors, an Ethiopian, and Indonesian, a Filipino, and a sailor from Myanmar.

The UAE government said that the acts of “piracy” violate international law and pose a serious threat to the safety of navigation and international trade in the Red Sea.

The UAE took its seat on the UN Security Council on January 1 along with Albania, Brazil, Gabon and Ghana.

Read more:

Houthi piracy of ships off Yemen coast was planned by Iran's IRGC: Arab Coalition

US condemns Houthis’ seizure of UAE flagged vessel: Threatens international trade

Houthi militia hijacks UAE-flagged cargo ship carrying medical supplies: Report