Asharq AL-awsat: Arab Coalition: Houthi militias hijack a ship carrying medical supplies off Hudaydah
The Arab Coalition Joint Forces Command announced that the Houthi militias hijacked a United Arab Emirates (UAE)-flagged cargo ship, which was sailing near Hodeidah, off the coast of Yemen, last night.
Arab Coalition Spokesman Brigadier General Turki al-Maliki said: “The cargo ship Ravabi, carrying the UAE flag, was subjected to piracy and kidnapping while cruising near Hudeida at 23:57 yesterday.”
The spokesperson said that the ship, which sailed from Socotra Island to Jazan Port, was carrying materials used for the operation of a Saudi Arabian hospital on the island.
He said the ship, which came from the field hospital, was carrying ambulance vehicles, medical equipment, communication equipment, tents, field kitchen, field laundry and accessories, and technical and security support.
Brigadier General Maliki stated that the piracy action of the terrorist Houthi militia poses a real threat to the freedom of maritime navigation and global trade in the Bab al-Mandeb Strait and south of the Red Sea.
Calling on the Houthi militias to immediately release the ship, Maliki said, “Otherwise, Coalition forces will take all necessary measures and measures to deal with this violation, including the use of force when necessary.”
