Saudi Arabia accuses Yemeni Shiite rebels of capturing ship in Red Sea

The Saudi-backed Saudi-led coalition’s war in Yemen today accused Shi’ite Houthi rebels of “capturing” a United Arab Emirates-flagged ship in the Red Sea, but a spokesman for the movement confirmed it, saying “there is no doubt about it.” ship.

“The hijacking of the UAE-flagged ship ‘Rawabi’ took place at 23:57 on Sunday while sailing off the province of Hodeidah in western Yemen,” said Turki al-Maliki, a spokesman for the coalition. as reported by the Saudi news agency SPA.

The ship was returning from the Socotra archipelago of Yemen off the south coast of the country, where it delivered medical supplies to a campaign hospital in the area and was headed to Jizan, Saudi Arabia, he said.

“The Houthi terrorist organization is responsible for this criminal act of piracy,” al-Maliki said, urging the rebels to “release the ship immediately.” Otherwise “coalition forces will take all necessary measures to address this violation.”

For his part, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sari confirmed the ship’s capture on Twitter, but complained that it “entered Yemeni territorial waters without permission”, that it was carrying military equipment and that it was “involved” in hostile actions against it. security and stability of the people of Yemen “.

Shiite rebels control most of northern Yemen, as well as the capital Sanaa. Saudi Arabia has been involved in the war in Yemen since 2015, leading a military coalition formed by Muslim Sunni countries to support government forces against the Houthis, which are believed to be backed by Iran.

Clashes between the coalition and the rebels have escalated in recent weeks, with the Saudi Air Force stepping up its attacks in Houthi-controlled areas. For their part, Shiite insurgents have stepped up rocket and drone strikes against Saudi Arabia.

SOURCE: AMPE