Yemen’s Houthi militia released a video on Sunday, November 19, showing the hijacking of the ship ‘Galaxy Leader’ in the Red Sea. The video, shared by the militia’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, on Twitter, features armed men boarding the vessel from a military helicopter above.
Brigadier General Saree described the incident as a “unique military operation of the naval forces, during which the Israeli ship was seized.” Bodycam footage reveals the gunmen taking control of the ship and aiming firearms at the crew. Additionally, a drone clip shows several small boats sailing alongside the hijacked vessel, one of which displays a Yemeni flag used by the Houthis and a Palestinian flag.
The exact location of the ship remains unknown, but the Houthis claimed on Telegram that it was taken to the Yemeni coast. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemned the hijacking, stating that the ship, owned by a British company and operated by a Japanese firm, was hijacked under Iran’s guidance by the Yemenite Houthi militia. Netanyahu confirmed that there were 25 crew members of various nationalities on board, including Ukrainian, Bulgarian, Filipino, and Mexican nationals, but no Israelis.
It is important to note that these claims have not been verified by Storyful. Credit for the video goes to Brigadier General Yahya Saree via Storyful.
