Mauritania Condemns Hijacking of UAE Cargo Ship

Mauritania has condemned the hijacking by the Houthi militia of a UAE-flagged cargo ship while sailing off the Yemeni region of El Houdeidah, loaded with humanitarian and relief supplies.

In a statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Mauritanians Abroad on 12 January, Mauritania considered that these terrorist operations constitute a real threat to the freedom and security of navigation in the Red Sea, as well as a flagrant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law.

Here is the text of the statement:

“The Islamic Republic of Mauritania strongly condemns the hijacking by the Houthi militia of a UAE-flagged cargo ship while it was sailing off the Yemeni region of Al-Ḥudaydah, loaded with humanitarian and relief material, particularly ambulances, medical equipment, and other humanitarian equipment.

Mauritania reaffirms that such terrorist operations constitute a real threat to the freedom and safety of navigation in the Red Sea and a flagrant violation of the rules of international humanitarian law, of the Guide to armed conflicts, and the United Nations maritime conventions and demands the immediate release of the vessel.