UN mission speaks to crew of UAE-flagged vessel seized by Houthis with Indians on board

UNITED NATIONS: A United Nations mission said it has spoken to the crew members of a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel that was seized by Houthi rebels off the port of Hodeidah in Yemen and has seven Indians on board.

“As part of its routine weekly patrol, UNMHA visited As-Salif port and neighbouring areas this afternoon. The patrol team saw the RWABEE vessel from a distance and spoke to its crew members,” the UN Mission to support the Hudaydah Agreement (UNMHA) said in a tweet on Wednesday.

“The UNMHA patrol team also visited a fish market and a local school in As Salif to interact with the local population. No indication of militarisation was observed in the areas patrolled,” it said.

India has called for the immediate release of the seven Indian crew members on board the United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel Rawabi that was seized by Houthis off the port of Hodeidah in Yemen earlier this month.

India’s Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti, speaking at a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen on Wednesday, expressed concern over the seizure and detention of the UAE vessel Rawabi.

Tirumurti “called for the immediate release of 7 Indian crew members, expressed deep concern about their safety & well-being & that Houthis should ensure their safety till release.”

India also called upon all parties to the conflict to immediately cease fighting, de-escalate the situation and engage unconditionally with the Office of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen. The External Affairs Ministry said Tuesday that all seven Indian sailors onboard a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel that was seized by Houthis off the port of Hodeidah

in Yemen are safe and the government is making all efforts to secure their early release.

Arindam Bagchi, the spokesperson in the ministry, said India has been closely monitoring developments following the seizure of the UAE flagged ship Rwabee by the Houthis on January 2.

“We also understand from the company and other sources that all Indian crew members are safe. The government of India is making all efforts to secure their early release,” Bagchi said. The Houthi rebels have a strong presence in parts of Yemen.

“We are in touch with the company operating the ship and have been informed that out of the 11 crew members onboard the ship, seven are from India,” Bagchi said while replying to a media query in New Delhi.

“We urge the Houthis to ensure the safety and well-being of the crew members and release them immediately. India is concerned at the recent intensification of fighting in Yemen and hopes that all parties will come to the negotiating table to find a peaceful resolution to the Yemen issue,” he added.

The External Affairs Ministry said that all seven Indian sailors on board the UAE-flagged cargo vessel are safe and the government is making all efforts to secure their early release