Houthis release Galaxy Leader crew, Grundberg calls for end to naval attacks

The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, considered on Wednesday the release of the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship "a step in the right direction," calling on the Houthis to continue these steps, including ending naval attacks.

Earlier today, the Houthi militia announced that it had released the crew of the ship (Galaxy Leader) after more than a year of holding the ship off the coast of Yemen.

Al-Masirah Houthi channel said, "The crew of the ship (Galaxy Leader) was released today in coordination with the Hamas movement and the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman. The crew of the ship (Galaxy Leader) was handed over to our brothers in the Sultanate of Oman in coordination with the Hamas movement as part of the ceasefire arrangements."

Commenting on this, Grundberg said in a statement via the X platform, “The release of the Galaxy Leader crew is good news that brings an end to the arbitrary detention and isolation that the crew and their families have suffered for more than a year.”

He added that this is a step in the right direction, and I urge the Houthis to continue these positive steps on all files, including ending all naval attacks.

The UN envoy stressed that "these measures are necessary to create a space for mediation, which will facilitate in the long term the resumption of the Yemeni political process long awaited by millions of Yemenis."

He continued: “I would like to express my gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for its tireless and persistent efforts in calling for the release of the Galaxy Leader crew. I also thank Oman for its steadfast support in calling for the release of arbitrarily detained UN, international and diplomatic personnel.”

“The release of the Galaxy Leader crew is good news that puts an end to the arbitrary detention and isolation that the crew and their families have suffered for over a year. This is a step in the right direction, and I urge Ansar Allah to continue these positive steps on all issues, including ending all maritime attacks. These measures…

- @OSE_Yemen (@OSE_Yemen) January 22, 2025

A high-ranking Omani delegation recently visited Sanaa to mediate with the Houthi group to release the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, which it has been holding since November 19, 2023, after seizing it 50 nautical miles west of the city of Hodeidah in western Yemen.

The crew of the ship, owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Rami Ungar, consists of 25 people from the Philippines, Mexico, Ukraine, Romania and Bulgaria.

The Galaxy ship is dedicated to transporting goods, has a gross tonnage of 48,710 tons, is 189.2 meters long, and 32.29 meters wide. It was built in 2002 and flies the flag of the Bahamas.

Source: Yemen Youth Net + Agencies