Videos Show Tours On Cargo Ship Galaxy Leader Hijacked By Yemen’s Houthis

A cargo vessel seized by the Yemeni Houthi militants last month was pictured with groups of men clicking their selfies and taking tours. In November, an Iran-backed group reportedly hijacked the Galaxy Leader in the Red Sea, claiming that it was Israeli.

Members of the Houthi militia had previously threatened to attack Israeli vessels in response to Israel’s conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

The #Ansarallah seized #GalaxyLeader ship in Hudaydah continues to welcome “visitors”, including the #Houthi-appointed defense minister touring alongside tourists, activists, journalists, and others in #Yemen https://t.co/uSAv5hWd8Y pic.twitter.com/QRNDPzbPaR

— Basha باشا (@BashaReport) December 7, 2023

Video Credits: Basha باشا/X

Israel refuted the assertion, while the Japanese government stated that Nippon Yusen ran it.

The vessel had 25 crew members when it was detained close to Hodeida in Yemen on its way to India, according to Nippon Yusen, popularly known as the NYK Line.

Bulgarian, Ukrainian, Mexican, and Filipino nationals are suspected to be on board. In November, Japan’s government stated that its agencies and ministries were coordinating with the relevant countries to expedite the vessel’s release and its personnel.

Galaxy Maritime Ltd, registered with the Isle of Man, owns Galaxy Leader. Per records from the Isle of Man government’s companies registry, it is owned by Ray Car Carriers, co-owned by Abraham Ungar, an Israeli businessman.

Images from the ship show lots of individuals boarding and exiting via motorboat, as well as many Yemenis armed with guns on the deck.

At least one area of the ship also had graffiti with a phrase supporting Hamas in the Gaza Strip.

Reference: BBC

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