From the Liveblog of
Thursday, January 23, 2025
US welcomes Houthi release of ship crew seized in Nov 2023, but says it’s insufficient
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleJacob Magid is The Times of Israel's US bureau chief
The US welcomes the Houthis’ “long-overdue” release of 25 crew members from a ship the Iran-backed rebels seized in November 2023.
However, the State Department says in a statement, “We must not be distracted by this insufficient action by the Houthis.”
US President Donald Trump signed an executive order yesterday directing the State Department to prepare for the redesignation of the Houthis as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
“Within Yemen, the Houthis continue to round up and detain hundreds of local staff members of the UN, NGOs, and diplomatic missions under abysmal conditions, including dozens of current and former Yemeni staff of the United States government unlawfully held based on false accusations,” the State Department says.
“The Houthis have also stated that they will continue their unlawful attacks in the Red Sea against certain vessels associated with Israel,” it continues. “The Houthis must permanently cease all attacks in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways without exception and immediately release all of the hundreds of detainees.”
The State Department thanks Oman for its efforts in securing the release of the MV Galaxy Leader crew, who hail from Bulgaria, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania, and Ukraine.
The Times of Israel Community.