Houthi rebels use helicopter to seize cargo ship, take 25 hostages

Nov 20, 2023 ·

An oil tanker was recently hijacked by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, near the coast of Yemen. The ship had been carrying over 1 million barrels of crude oil from Saudi Arabia to Europe when it was seized.

The incident occurred around 70 miles (110 kilometers) from the Saudi port of Jizan, in what is now a major transit route for vessels transporting oil between the Arab states and Europe. It was reported that the hijackers had used 5 boats and heavily armed personnel.

The attack led to an international outcry and condemnation. United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres called on all parties involved to ensure the release of the vessel and its crew immediately, while the UN Security Council urged an investigation into the incident.

Saudi Arabia called for swift action against the Houthis, while also accusing Iran of supporting them. Iran has denied any involvement in the hijacking.

Meanwhile, both the US and the European Union have expressed concern about the incident and the safety of the crew. They have also reiterated the importance of freedom of navigation in the region and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice.

Since the beginning of the war in Yemen, the Houthi rebel group has sought to disrupt the flow of oil and other resources from the Arab states to the rest of the world by targeting ships in open waters. This recent attack is yet another example of their attempts to exercise control over vital sea lanes.

The attack on this vessel serves as a reminder of the need for increased security measures to protect shipping routes. It is essential that all countries cooperate with international organizations to ensure the safety of crews and vessels. Furthermore, it is important to take appropriate steps to prevent similar attacks in the future, so that global trade can continue safely.