Yemen’s Houthi rebels announced on Wednesday that they have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, a car transporter that was captured in November 2023 amid their attacks on maritime vessels in the Red Sea, which intensified following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
This action by the Iran-aligned Houthis is seen as a move to ease tensions after a ceasefire was established in Gaza, coinciding with the possible deliberations of U.S. President Donald Trump regarding reinstating a previous terrorism designation for the group that had been lifted by President Joe Biden.
The release of the sailors came after mediation efforts by Oman, a Gulf nation known for its engagement with the Houthis. Although Oman has yet to officially confirm the release, an aircraft from the Omani Royal Air Force flew to Yemen and returned shortly after the Houthis made their announcement.
The rebels claimed that the request for the release of the 25 crew members, who hail from various countries including the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico, came from Hamas.
In a statement from their controlled news outlet, SABA, the rebels stated, “This step comes in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
According to the Houthis, the Galaxy Leader was taken due to its connections to Israel. Following its capture, they initiated a series of attacks against vessels in international waters, which only ceased following the recent ceasefire in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
A spokesperson for the vessel’s owners did not respond immediately to queries regarding the situation. The Bahamas-flagged ship is linked to Israeli billionaire Abraham “Rami” Ungar, who ranks among Israel’s wealthiest individuals.
The Houthi operation to seize the Galaxy Leader included a helicopter assault, with the group releasing propaganda footage and even filming a music video aboard the ship.
On Monday, the Houthis indicated a shift in their strategy, announcing they would restrict their attacks in the Red Sea to Israeli-affiliated vessels following the start of the ceasefire. However, they cautioned that broader assaults could resume if necessary.
This limited engagement, however, is unlikely to entice international shipping firms back to this vital route for cargo and energy transport between Asia and Europe, particularly given that the Houthis’ actions have significantly disrupted traffic in the area—a key revenue stream for Egypt, which operates the Suez Canal.
The crew’s release may have been a strategic move to improve relations with the U.S., even though the ship remains anchored off the Yemeni city of Hodeida.
A Yemen expert noted that the Houthis’ gesture could be aimed at gaining favor with the incoming Trump administration, potentially delaying their classification as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
Since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas hostilities in October 2023, the Houthis have targeted over 100 commercial vessels with drones and missiles. This escalation followed a surprise incursion by Hamas into Israeli territory that resulted in significant casualties.
The Houthis’ actions have included the seizure of one ship and the sinking of two, in addition to resulting in the deaths of four sailors. Many of their attacks have been countered by U.S. and European-led naval coalitions in the Red Sea.
While the rebels insist their attacks are aimed only at vessels associated with Israel, the United States, or the United Kingdom, several of the ships targeted had little to no ties to these nations, including some that were en route to Iran.
Recently, the frequency of Houthi assaults has decreased, particularly concerning maritime targets, likely influenced by extensive U.S. airstrikes on Houthi positions. Reports indicate that the U.S. and its allies have conducted over 260 strikes against the group.
The ongoing military conflict in Gaza has resulted in a staggering number of Palestinian casualties, with local officials reporting over 46,000 deaths, though they do not differentiate between combatants and civilians, noting that a significant portion of the deceased are women and children.
