Yemen’s Houthis Release Nine Mariners Held Since July Ship Attack
Yemen’s Houthi rebels on Wednesday released a group of mariners who had been held since a deadly July attack on a cargo vessel in the Red Sea, ending months of uncertainty for the crew and their families. The assault, one of the deadliest maritime incidents linked to the conflict in the region, killed at least four sailors and sank the ship, intensifying global concerns over the safety of commercial routes near Yemen.
According to a statement broadcast by the Houthi-run Al Masirah TV channel, the released mariners were handed over to Omani authorities and boarded a Royal Oman Air Force aircraft in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital. Flight-tracking data showed an Omani military jet landing in Sanaa earlier in the day and later departing Yemeni airspace shortly after the Houthis announced the release. Oman, often a mediator in regional disputes, had not immediately commented on the transfer, but its involvement reinforced its long-standing role as a diplomatic bridge in Yemen’s conflict.
The Philippines, which had been closely monitoring the fate of its citizens, said on Tuesday that it expected nine Filipino mariners detained by the Houthis to be freed imminently. Manila’s Foreign Ministry had described the men as “held hostage by the Houthis” since the July attack and engaged in sustained diplomatic efforts with Middle Eastern governments to secure their release. Filipino seafarers make up a large segment of the global maritime workforce, and incidents affecting them often trigger swift action from the Philippine government. The confirmation of their release has brought relief to families who have spent nearly five months awaiting news.
The Houthis did not immediately provide details of the nationalities of all the sailors who were released. Their statement framed the July incident as a rescue operation, claiming that their forces had saved the crew after they abandoned the heavily damaged vessel. The group, however, has repeatedly targeted commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, saying such operations are a response to what they call support by Western and regional powers for Israel during its military campaign in Gaza.
The July attack marked one of the most severe incidents in the maritime escalation linked to the conflict. The cargo ship was reportedly struck while transiting through one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes. The strike set off fires and caused catastrophic damage, leaving the ship sinking and leading to the deaths of at least four crew members. Survivors either abandoned the vessel or were taken into custody by Houthi fighters. International maritime agencies and naval forces operating in the region condemned the assault, describing it as a violation of maritime law and a threat to global trade.
The Red Sea has become a flashpoint as Houthi forces have increasingly targeted vessels they claim have ties to Israel or countries backing Israel’s war in Gaza. While many of the targeted vessels have had no direct connection to Israel, the Houthis have insisted that their actions are part of a broader campaign to pressure the international community. Shipping companies have rerouted vessels away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait—a key chokepoint linking the Indian Ocean to the Mediterranean via the Suez Canal—resulting in longer travel times and increased logistical costs.
Wednesday’s release of the mariners has been viewed by analysts as a possible gesture aimed at projecting goodwill or easing diplomatic isolation. The Houthis have been under mounting pressure amid intensified naval patrols by Western and regional powers seeking to protect commercial shipping. At the same time, humanitarian organisations and families of detained sailors have urged all sides to prioritise the safety and release of non-combatants.
In Manila, the Philippine government welcomed the news and reiterated its call for greater protection for Filipino seafarers navigating high-risk waters. The Department of Migrant Workers and the Department of Foreign Affairs said they would coordinate with Omani authorities to ensure the safe return of the mariners. Philippine officials also praised Oman’s behind-the-scenes mediation, noting that the sultanate has repeatedly facilitated the release of foreign nationals held in Yemen since the civil war erupted in 2014.
The exact circumstances surrounding the detention and release of the mariners remain unclear, particularly given the discrepancy between Houthi claims of having rescued the sailors and the Philippines’ characterisation of their captivity as a hostage situation. International observers said such contradictory accounts have become common in the complex information landscape surrounding Yemen’s war.
Nevertheless, the release marks a rare moment of positive news in a conflict that has left tens of thousands dead and triggered one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. For families waiting in the Philippines and elsewhere, relief has finally replaced the prolonged fear that followed the July attack.
Maritime security experts warn, however, that the broader threat to shipping in the region persists. Unless political breakthroughs are achieved either in Yemen’s civil war or in the wider regional conflict linked to Gaza, attacks on vessels may continue to endanger crews and disrupt global trade. For now, though, the safe passage of the nine mariners to Oman offers a small but significant step amid an otherwise turbulent maritime landscape.
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