Human Rights Watch (HRW) declared on Wednesday that the Houthi rebel group is committing war crimes by targeting and arbitrarily seizing civilian ships in the Red Sea. HRW urged the militia to release the crew of the Galaxy Leader ship, which was seized by the Houthis on Nov. 19.
“The Houthis are claiming that they’re carrying out attacks on behalf of Palestinians, when the reality is that they’re attacking, arbitrarily detaining and endangering civilians on ship crews who have zero connection to any known military target,” said Michael Page, Middle East and North Africa deputy director at HRW. He added, “The Houthis should immediately release the hostages and end their attacks on civilians caught in the crosshairs of their declared war on Israel.”
The Houthi militia seized the Galaxy Leader cargo ship and its two dozen crew members, alleging that the vessel was owned by an Israeli businessman. HRW emphasized that the Houthis have yet to take responsibility for the civilian harm caused in Yemen, and instead of committing new war crimes, they should focus on achieving a durable peace in their country.
In response to potential Houthi assaults, Yemen’s government has placed its Red Sea coastguard on high alert. Tareq Mohammed Saleh, vice president of Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council, accused the Houthis of plotting attacks on government-controlled areas or islands in the Red Sea, taking advantage of public outrage over Israel’s bombardment of Gaza.
“We urge you to remain vigilant and ready to confront any danger that threatens our ports, coasts, and islands at all times. There is a great threat from Iran-backed groups that are using the Gaza war and targeting Israeli ships as pretexts to target our ports and islands, and kill Yemenis,” warned Saleh while addressing coastguard personnel near the Red Sea port city of Mocha.
