A Red Cross delegation has visited the 25 crew members onboard the Hijacked Galaxy Leader vessel, which has been held by Houthi rebels since November 2020. The visit was the second by ICRC since the hijacking and aimed to monitor the conditions of detention and facilitate communication between the crew members and their families. Yemeni officials claim that the release of the crew members is dependent on negotiations with Hamas.
Hijacked Galaxy Leader Crew: Red Cross Assessment and Ongoing Negotiations
Background:
In November 2020, the Panama-flagged cargo vessel MV Galaxy Leader was hijacked by Houthi rebels off the coast of Yemen. The vessel, carrying 25 crew members from Bangladesh, Egypt, India, the Philippines, and Romania, was taken to the Houthi-held port of Salif.
The hijacking sparked international concern and demands for the crew's release. However, negotiations between the Houthis and Yemeni officials have stalled. The Houthis have accused the Yemeni government of violating a ceasefire agreement and of bombing Houthi-controlled areas.
Red Cross Visit:
In March 2023, a delegation from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) visited the crew members on the Galaxy Leader for the second time since the hijacking. The visit aimed to assess their detention conditions and facilitate communication with their families.
According to the ICRC, the crew members are being held in a detention center in Sana'a, Yemen. They have access to medical care and food, but their communication with the outside world is limited.
Negotiations for Release:
Yemeni officials have stated that the release of the crew members is contingent on negotiations with the Houthi rebels. However, there has been no progress in the talks.
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