Houthi hijacking of the Galaxy Leader

Houthi hijacking of the Galaxy Leader
Part of Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)
The Galaxy Leader in 2006
Date November 19, 2023 (2023-11-19) Location Red Sea Status Galaxy Leader held by Houthis. Hostages released after 2025 Israel-Hamas Ceasefire
Belligerents
Houthis	Crew members
Strength
1 helicopter 10 armed militants	25 unarmed crew members
Casualties and losses
None	25 taken hostage. Some injured in the incident

The hijacking of the Galaxy Leader occurred on November 19, 2023, when Yemen's Houthi rebels seized the Bahamian-flagged cargo ship in the Red Sea near the Yemeni port of Hodeidah. The ship, en route from Turkey to India, was boarded by 10 armed militants who were dropped off by a helicopter and detained its 25 crew members, including nationals from the Philippines, Ukraine, Mexico and Romania.

Timeline of hijacking

• November 19, 2023 — The Galaxy Leader, a British-owned, Japanese-operated cargo ship en route from Turkey to India, was seized by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea near Hodeidah, Yemen.
• November 20, 2023 — The Houthis released footage of the hijacking, claiming the ship was linked to Israel and thus a legitimate target. The group stated that the seizure was in response to Israel's actions in Gaza.
• December 2023 — The Galaxy Leader remained under Houthi control, with the crew held hostage. International efforts to secure their release continued, but the situation persisted without resolution.
• January 22, 2025 — After 430 days in captivity, the 25 crew members were released and transferred to Oman. The release coincided with a cease-fire agreement in Gaza and a reduction in Houthi attacks in the Red Sea.

International reactions

• United States — The U.S. government condemned the hijacking, emphasizing the need to protect international shipping routes and the safety of maritime crews.
• United Nations — The United Nations strongly condemned the hijacking and called for the protection of all civilian maritime vessels.
• The Bahamas — The Bahamas, as the flag state of the Galaxy Leader, condemned the attack and worked diplomatically to ensure the safe release of the crew.
• Philippines — The Philippines, home to a significant portion of the ship's crew, repeatedly called for the safe return of its nationals.
• European Union — The European Union expressed deep concern over the hijacking and the growing instability in the Red Sea.
• Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia condemned the hijacking and reaffirmed its commitment to countering Houthi threats in the region, particularly those affecting global shipping lanes.
• Oman — Oman played a crucial role in facilitating the crew's eventual release through diplomatic negotiations with the Houthis.
• Israel — Israel strongly condemned the hijacking of the Galaxy Leader, viewing it as part of broader regional instability caused by the Houthis. Israeli officials warned of increasing threats to international maritime trade in the Red Sea.
• Turkey — Turkey, which the Galaxy Leader had departed from before its hijacking, expressed concern over the rising risks to international shipping in the Red Sea. The Turkish government emphasized the importance of diplomatic negotiations to resolve the crisis.
• India — India, whose nationals were among the crew members on the Galaxy Leader, was highly active in demanding the safe release of its citizens. The Indian government coordinated efforts with the Bahamas and other international partners to ensure their safety.
• International maritime community — Maritime security organizations, including the International Maritime Organization (IMO), voiced concern over the increasing attacks on commercial shipping in the region. The IMO called for stronger security measures and greater international cooperation.