US, Japan call on Houthis to stop Red Sea attacks

The United States and Japan called on Yemen's Iran-backed rebel group Houthis to cease its attacks in the Red Sea following the release of the detained MV Galaxy Leader crew on January 22.

In a statement on Thursday (US time), US Department of State spokesperson Tammy Bruce said, “the Houthis have also stated that they will continue their unlawful attacks in the Red Sea against certain vessels associated with Israel.”

“The Houthis must permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release all of the hundreds of detainees,” she added.

For his part, Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Press Secretary Kitamura Toshihiro on Friday underscored that the right and freedoms of navigation must be respected.

“Japan reiterates that the right and freedoms of navigation must be respected and will continue its diplomatic efforts toward the cessation of attacks by the Houthis and the early release of the Galaxy Leader's vessel itself,” he said in a statement.

The concerned crew were handed to the Sultanate of Oman on January 22 "in coordination" with the ceasefire in Gaza's war between Israel and Palestinian militant group Hamas.

Houthi leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi said that the group was ready to act if Israel violated the Gaza ceasefire agreement.

Pinoys

President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. on Thursday said the 17 Filipino seafarers and other crew members of M/V Galaxy Leader commercial ship have been safely released. The Filipinos arrived in Manila at 9:31 p.m. on Thursday night.

MV Galaxy Leader was made up of nationals from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania.

Israel Ambassador to the Philippines Ilan Fluss expressed relief after the release of the Filipino crew and pointed out that the incident was a reminder that “terrorism is a global threat that affects us all.”

“I am relieved to hear that the 17 Filipino crew members of the ship Galaxy Leader seized by Houthi rebels in Yemen have been released. We share in the joy of their families and loved ones upon their safe return.” he said in a statement.

“This incident serves as a reminder that terrorism is a global threat that affects us all,” he added.

The vessel was seized by the Houthis in November 2023. It was taken to the port of Hodeidah in the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen after being boarded at sea on November 19, 2023 by commandos with the group.

In a statement on Friday, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) expressed joy over the release of the detained crew.

“We share the joy in this news, as the seafarers will finally be reunited with their families after more than one year,” said Johannes Bruwer, head of the ICRC delegation in the Philippines.

The ICRC, through its delegation in Yemen, had visited the 25 detained seafarers in May and September 2024 to check their conditions of detention and provide information for their families.

--Joviland Rita/ VAL/RSJ, GMA Integrated News