Vantage | How ship seized by Houthis became tourist attraction in Yemen

In an unexpected turn of events, a Japanese-operated cargo ship, the “Galaxy Leader,” recently became the centre of attention as it fell into the hands of Yemeni Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on 19 November. What started as a potentially volatile situation with fears of regional tensions escalating has taken a peculiar twist with the hijacked ship transforming into an unconventional party central for the rebels.

Seizure and controversial connections The “Galaxy Leader” reportedly had Israeli links, partly owned by an Israeli businessman, adding a layer of controversy to the seizure by the Houthi rebels. The incident sparked a furore leading to the hostage-taking of 25 crew members and heightened concerns about the regional implications. Houthi rebels, who control northern Yemen and its Red Sea coast, have been engaged in military operations against Israel, launching missile and drone attacks since 7 October. The hijacking of the “Galaxy Leader” was seen as a response to the ship’s alleged connection to Israel. “The Yemeni Armed Forces confirm the continuation of carrying out military operations against the Israeli enemy until the aggression on the Gaza Strip stops and the ongoing heinous crimes against our Palestinian brothers in Gaza and the West Bank cease,” said Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea. Hamas representative Osama Hamdan said, “This is a welcome step from the Yemeni forces and I believe that the size of the Zionist crime committed in Gaza makes every loyalist eager to defend and support the Palestinian people with all he can. Therefore, my greetings to.” Diplomatic faceoff and denials While Hamas applauded the move, Israel vehemently denied any links to the ship, labelling the incident as an “Iranian act of terrorism.” Iran, accused of supporting Houthi rebels, dismissed these claims as futile, highlighting the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. “The Zionist regime’s claims (that Iran is involved in the seizure of a ship in the Red Sea by Yemen’s Houthis) are futile and reflect the difficult situation in which the Zionist regime finds itself (Israeli-Palestinian conflict),” said Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani. Unusual party onboard Away from the diplomatic tensions, onboard the hijacked ship, an unexpected scene unfolded. Houthi youth and Yemeni social media influencers turned the “Galaxy Leader” into a tourist attraction. Videos and images circulated on social media depict a hijacking hoedown, complete with coordinated dance moves, photo shoots, dance parties, hookah sessions and even attempts at climbing the vessel for a thrill. Social media influencers captured every moment of this unusual party, uploading videos and photos on various platforms. Some even suggested that the Houthi rebels could sell hijacked ships as a quick financial boost for Yemen. Whether this advice will be taken remains to be seen, but it could potentially provide a steady stream of income for the rebels. Warnings and ongoing risks Despite the festive atmosphere onboard, Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Sarea issued a warning to ships affiliated with Israel. “The Yemeni Armed Forces reiterate their warning to all ships affiliated with the Israeli enemy or those dealing with it that they will become legitimate targets for the armed forces,” said Sarea. Recent incidents, such as the reported capture of pirates attempting to hijack another Israeli-linked ship, the “Central Park,” near Somalia on 26 November, highlight the rising risks in global shipping. The hijacking of the “Galaxy Leader” has turned a potentially dangerous situation into an unconventional dance party on the high seas. As diplomatic tensions continue to play out, the rebels seem to be dancing away their worries, providing a unique and unexpected twist to the ongoing geopolitical scenario in the Red Sea. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely that of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstpost’s views. Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News, India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.