Admin I Wednesday, January 22, 2025
YEMEN – The Yemeni Armed Forces, YAF has released the 20-man crew of Galaxy Leader abducted as a result of Israel’s war on Gaza.
In a statement, the YAF said the crew was released based on directive from the leadership in coordination with the Hamas movement and the mediation of the Sultanate of Oman.
“Based on the directives of the leader, Sayyed Abdulmalik Badr El-Din Al-Houthi, 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 Supreme Political Council of Yemen said the release of the crew of the ship “Galaxy Leader” comes within the framework of the battle to support Gaza and in support of the ceasefire agreement.
Galaxy Leader was hijacked in November 19, 2023 by the YAF.
Since that date the vessel and crew have been held in Yemen.
Prior to the release, managers of Galaxy Leader said the “horror story” was hopefully coming to an end.
It explained that the 25-strong crew comprising Filipinos, Mexicans, Romanians, Bulgarians and Ukrainians were “desperate to leave Yemen, as they have been moved around like pawns from ship to land at the whim of their persecutors”.
“Some have been hospitalised with malaria and one can only guess at their mental state.”
The owners called for humanity to prevail to “send these bystanders home in support of the peace process”.
“They were never involved, nor were their countries, yet for more than a year they have had their freedom curtailed. Time to move on”.
