Houthi Rebels Release Galaxy Leader Crew

The release of the 25-member crew follows mediation by Oman and coincides with a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Galaxy Leader cargo ship was seized by Yemen's Iran-backed Houthi rebels in November 2023 as part of their campaign in support of Palestinians during the Israel-Hamas war.
The 25-member crew, including sailors from the Philippines, Bulgaria, Romania, Ukraine, and Mexico, were held for over a year before being released to Oman on January 22, 2025.
The Houthis stated the release was coordinated with Hamas and facilitated by Omani mediation, aligning with their support for the recent Gaza ceasefire agreement.
The seizure and subsequent attacks on Red Sea shipping disrupted global trade routes, halving traffic in the region and impacting the Suez Canal's revenues.
The release is seen as a strategic move by the Houthis to de-escalate tensions, though they have warned of resuming attacks if the ceasefire terms are violated.