YEMEN's Houthis insurgents engaged in a civil war have seized a Bahamas-flagged 17,127-dwt Japanese NYK car carrier in the Red Sea while sailing south near Yemen, reports Japan Times.
Yemeni cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the ship had a crew of 25 from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.
Qatar's Aljazeera quoted the Houthis as saying they took the vessel in response to 'heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank'.
The group had warned other countries to stay out of the area, saying they would target all ships with relations to Israel.
Regarding the seizure, the Houthi group was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying that it had captured the vessel in response to 'heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank.' The guerrillas had warned other countries to stay out of the area, saying they would target all ships with relations to Israel.
Houthis are a rebels in Yemen backed by Iran. In the past, they have launched attacks against southern Israel, and their capture of an international cargo ship raises concerns about the impact on global logistics.
Japan is currently gathering information, including through the Foreign Ministry and the transport ministry, and is working toward the release of the detained crew members in conjunction with related countries.
Mr Matsuno stated that Japan is simultaneously attempting to talk with Israel as well as directly contacting the Houthis while also appealing to the associated parties of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran.
Said Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa: 'Taking into account changes to the situation, the government will continue to work with related countries and conduct necessary measures.'
SeaNews Turkey
Yemeni cabinet secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said the ship had a crew of 25 from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico and Romania.
Qatar's Aljazeera quoted the Houthis as saying they took the vessel in response to 'heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank'.
The group had warned other countries to stay out of the area, saying they would target all ships with relations to Israel.
Regarding the seizure, the Houthi group was quoted by Al-Jazeera as saying that it had captured the vessel in response to 'heinous acts against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank.' The guerrillas had warned other countries to stay out of the area, saying they would target all ships with relations to Israel.
Houthis are a rebels in Yemen backed by Iran. In the past, they have launched attacks against southern Israel, and their capture of an international cargo ship raises concerns about the impact on global logistics.
Japan is currently gathering information, including through the Foreign Ministry and the transport ministry, and is working toward the release of the detained crew members in conjunction with related countries.
Mr Matsuno stated that Japan is simultaneously attempting to talk with Israel as well as directly contacting the Houthis while also appealing to the associated parties of Saudi Arabia, Oman and Iran.
Said Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa: 'Taking into account changes to the situation, the government will continue to work with related countries and conduct necessary measures.'
SeaNews Turkey
