After more than a year in captivity, Yemen’s Houthi rebels have released the 25 crew members of the Galaxy Leader, a commercial vessel seized in the Red Sea in November 2023. The sailors, hailing from the Philippines, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Mexico, and Romania, were transferred to Omani authorities on Wednesday, marking the end of a prolonged maritime standoff.
The Galaxy Leader, a Bahamas-flagged cargo ship, was hijacked by the Houthis amid rising tensions in the region. The group claimed the vessel was linked to an Israeli businessman, though it was operated by a Japanese company. The seizure was part of a broader Houthi campaign targeting vessels associated with Israel following the escalation of the Israel-Gaza conflict in October 2023.
Following the crew’s release, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. confirmed that the 17 Filipino sailors were under the care of the Philippine Embassy in Muscat and would soon return home. Authorities from Ukraine, Bulgaria, Mexico, and Romania are also coordinating the repatriation of their nationals.
The international community has welcomed the development. Hans Grundberg, the United Nations' special envoy for Yemen, expressed relief over the safe return of the crew. Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), also underscored the importance of maritime security and the protection of civilian seafarers.
The hijacking of the Galaxy Leader highlighted growing security concerns in the Red Sea, a critical global shipping route. Since the onset of the Israel-Gaza war, the Houthis have intensified their attacks on vessels they perceive as linked to Israel, heightening risks for international maritime trade.
While the release of the crew is a positive step, security in the region remains fragile. With the Houthis continuing to exert influence over strategic shipping lanes, the broader implications for regional stability and global commerce remain uncertain.