Japan has condemned the hijacking of a Japanese-operated, British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.
The Yemeni militia claimed the vessel was Israeli, and a spokesman said the seizure was only the beginning of a “battle at sea”.
Israel said the ship was not Israeli and a Japanese government spokesperson said it was operated by Nippon Yusen.
MSN reported on the details:
- Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi militants have captured what they called an Israeli ship in the Red Sea and taken it to the Yemeni coast, calling all Israeli vessels a “legitimate target.”
- “The Yemeni armed forces reiterate their warning to all ships belonging to or dealing with the Israeli enemy that they will become a legitimate target for armed forces,” Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree said on social media on Sunday.
- On Monday, according to Reuters, Japan’s top government spokesperson confirmed the capture of the Nippon Yusen-operated ship, Galaxy Leader.
“Yemeni armed forces confirm that they will continue to carry out military operations against the Israeli enemy until the aggression against Gaza stops,” the spokesperson said.
On Monday, Japan’s top government spokesperson confirmed the capture of the Nippon Yusen-operated ship, Galaxy Leader, according to Reuters. Tokyo is now appealing with the Houthis for the release of the vessel and seeking the help of Saudi, Omani and Iranian authorities.
“The Houthi forces in Yemen have released footage of them y-day hijacking a large Israeli-owned ship in the Red Sea The crew of the Bahamas-flagged Galaxy Leader were kidnapped. They are from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine & Mexico,” the post read.