Riyadh: Pirates allied with the Iran-backed Houthi militia hijacked a UAE-flagged Vessel cargo ship off the coast of Al-Hudaydah governorate on Sunday; the official spokesman of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen has said.
Brig. Gen. Turki Al-Malki said, “At 23:57 on Sunday; the cargo flag RWABEE flying the United Arab Emirates (UAE) flag was hijacked while sailing off the coast of Al-Hudaydah governorate.”
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The ship was on a maritime mission from Socotra Island to Jazan Port; carrying hospital equipment for the Saudi Field Hospital on Socotra. The cargo included ambulances, medical equipment, tents, communication devices, a field kitchen, field laundry units, and security and technical support equipment.
This act of piracy highlights the danger of the terrorist Houthi militia on the freedom of navigation; and trade in the South Red Sea and Bab Al-Mandab Strait, Al-Malki said.
Al-Malki added, the terrorist pirates Houthi allied militia would bear full responsibility for this criminal act of piracy against the ship. Moreover, the act violates the customary International Humanitarian Law, the San Remo Manual on Armed Conflicts at Sea; and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
“The militia must promptly release the ship, or the Coalition Forces will undertake all necessary measures; and procedures to handle this violation, including using force if necessary,” Al-Malki warned.
