Japan condemns Yemen’s Houthi rebels hijack of cargo ship in Red Sea

BBC News:

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.

Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said it was working towards the ship’s release.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed the Houthi’s backer, Iran, for the hijacking.

Mr Netanyahu said neither the vessel nor the crew were Israeli and called it an “Iranian attack on an international ship”. Iran has denied involvement.

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Japanese shipping company Nippon Yusen – also known as NYK Line – said the ship, named Galaxy Leader, was carrying 25 crew members when it was seized near Hodeida, Yemen on its way to India.

Those on board are believed to include Bulgarian, Mexican, Filipino and Ukrainian nationals.

Galaxy Leader is owned by Galaxy Maritime Ltd, which is registered in the Isle of Man. It is owned by Ray Car Carriers, which is co-owned by Israeli businessman Abraham Ungar, according to documents from the Isle of Man Government’s Companies registry.

In a statement quoted by Reuters news agency, Galaxy Maritime Ltd said the ship was “illegally boarded by military personnel via a helicopter” on Sunday, and was now being held at the port of Hodeidah in Yemen.

Unverified video footage released by the Houthis on Monday and aired on the group’s TV channel, Al Masirah, showed armed men descending from a helicopter onto the ship.

Mr Ungar told The Associated Press news agency he was aware of the incident but could not comment on it.

“The government of Japan absolutely condemns such an act,” said Hirokazu Matsuno, Japan’s chief cabinet secretary said on Monday, adding there were no Japanese nationals among the crew.

He said ministries and agencies were working with the relevant countries for the early release of the vessel and its crew.

“We are also urging related countries such as Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran to strongly urge the Houthis to release the ships and sailors as soon as possible.”

Matthew Miller, spokesman for the US state department, called the Houthi’s seizure of the ship “a flagrant violation of international law” and demanded the “immediate release of the ship and its crew”.