The United States condemned the hijacking of the "Rwabee" by the Houthis, off the Yemeni coast of Hodeidah, believing that this measure threatened international navigation in the Red Sea. In a statement released in the evening of Jan 4 by US State Department spokesman Ned Price said the measures "hinder freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and threaten international trade and regional security. The actions of the Houthis come at a time when all parties should work towards de-escalation and resume comprehensive political talks." In the same context, the US State Department statement urged "the Houthis to immediately release the ship and its crew and to stop all acts of violence that hamper the political process, aimed at ending the war in Yemen." . The Arab Coalition stated that "the ship was on a naval mission from the island of Socotra (southern Yemen) to the Saudi port of Jizan, carrying on board field equipment, for the operation of the Saudi hospital on the island ".
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ESBERN SNARE
The four pirates who were captured by Danish special forces after a firefight in the Gulf of Guinea, had their custody extended by four weeks on Dec 22 . Three of the pirates remained detained on the 'Esbern Snare', while a fourth is hospitalized in Ghana. In a constitutional hearing in Copenhagen at the City Court on Dec 22, they all pleaded not guilty to attempted murder against the Danish soldiers. The judge, however, chose to extend the remand of them all. The defender of one of the men appealed the ruling to the High Court, believing that the extension of four weeks was too long. The High Court must now rule on the case. Denmark is still working on concluding an agreement which means that the four pirates can be transferred to an African country that will prosecute them.
RWABEE
The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen accused the Houthis on Jan 3 of “hijacking” the 'Rawabi' in the Red Sea that it claimed was carrying medical supplies but which the rebels described as a military cargo ship. “The cargo ship Rawabi sailing under the flag of the United Arab Emirates was targeted through piracy and hijacking while sailing off the coast of al-Hodeidah governorate,” the coalition stated and called on the Houthis to “promptly release the ship or the coalition forces will undertake all necessary measures and procedures to handle this violation, including the use of force if necessary.” The vessel was allegedly headed to Jazan with medical supplies on board that were used to set up a field hospital on the Yemeni island of Socotra. The Houthi stated that the ship had entered Yemen’s waters without permission and was “carrying out hostile activities” when seized by the rebels. The Houthis also published a video they claimed showed military equipment, including assault rifles, on the vessel.
ESBERN SNARE
The four pirates who were captured by Danish special forces after a firefight in the Gulf of Guinea, will appear again on Dec 22 in a constitutional interrogation in Copenhagen City Court in absentia. Three pirates were still being held captive on the 'Esbern Snare', while a fourth has been hospitalized in Ghana. Despite extensive negotiations with a number of West African countries, Denmark has not yet succeeded in concluding an agreement which means that the four pirates can be transferred to an African country that will prosecute them.
RWABEE
The 'Rwabee' was allegedly attacked by Yemeni Houthi rebels en route to the port of Jizan, just north of Yemen on Jan 2, 2022, just before midnight. The ship was said to be carrying medical equipment. The Houthi promptly responded by accusing the Saudis in hostile acts, and stated it was an Emirati military cargo ship, carrying military equipment, and illegally entering Yemeni waters. On Jan 3 the ship was berthed at Hamriya Port north of Dubai.