THE crew of a British cargo ship have been freed 14 months after they were captured by a terror group.
Sailors from the Galaxy Leader car carrier have been held in Yemen by the Houthis – but are now free after Israel struck a ceasefire deal with Hamas.
ReutersHouthi fighters hold a cutout banner portraying the Galaxy Leader cargo ship they captured[/caption]
AFPThe massive car carrier was sailing through the Red Sea when it was captured[/caption]
EPAHouthi fighters have supported Hamas in its war against Israel[/caption]
The crew consists of 25 from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico.
They were snatched as the Houthi terror group tried to block shipping through the Red Sea to help pals Hamas.
It is believed the crew will travel to Oman but no details were announced on the repatriation, the Maritime Executive reported.
In a statement, the Houthis said the release of hostages “comes in support of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.”
The Houthis also said they would respect the truce – which should see it stop firing missiles at Israel.
But, they pledged to continue targeting ships linked to Israel travelling through the Red Sea – while leaving other foreign vessels.
International Maritime Organisation Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez said the relsease of the hostages was of “profound relief”.
He said: “Not only for the crew and their families, but also to the wider maritime community…
“Today’s breakthrough is a testament to the power of collective diplomacy and dialogue, recognizing that innocent seafarers must not become collateral victims in wider geopolitical tensions.”
Gunmen belonging to Houthi rebels jumped from choppers and attacked the Japan-chartered container ship, taking its entire crew hostage in shocking footage released following its seizure.
The militants – who said they were acting in “solidarity” with people in the besieged Gaza Strip – later sailed it back to Yemen and opened it up as a designated “tourist cruise ship”.
The Houthis celebrated the Galaxy Leader’s capture as a war trophy – with Yemeni influencers visiting the vessel to show it off.
The crew and the ship were used in a propaganda clip for a celebration last month of the Islamic prophet’s birthday, known as Mawlid.
Footage shared on Yemen TV channels shows the captives watching a traditional knife dance as the guests of honour on the ship where they are being held hostage and the ship was bathed in green lights.
The Galaxy Leader is owned by a British company, which is in turn partially owned by Israeli tycoon Abraham Ungar.
APThe Galaxy Leader was captured in the Red Sea in November 2023[/caption]
GettyThe Houthi fighters have pledged to support the ceasefire[/caption]
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