Yemen's Houthis release 9 mariners held since July ship attack

"Yemen's Houthi rebels released mariners held since a July attack on a cargo ship in the Red Sea, an assault that killed at least four on board and sank the vessel. The Houthis, who have targeted ships during Israel's genocidal war on Gaza, said via their Al Masirah TV news channel that Oman had taken custody of the seamen, who were flying to the sultanate on Wednesday."

"Oman did not immediately acknowledge the release. However, a Royal Oman Air Force jet landed earlier Wednesday in Sanaa, the Yemeni capital, according to flight-tracking data. Following the Houthi announcement, the plane was tracked leaving Yemeni airspace. The Philippines said on Tuesday that it expected nine Filipino mariners held by the Houthis since the attack to be released. The Foreign Ministry in Manila described the seamen as being held hostage by the Houthis since the July attack."

"Al Masirah on Wednesday published an image of six of the men, without expressions, wearing the black-and-white checkered keffiyeh scarf often associated with the Palestinians. The attack on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C also left 11 people missing. The Houthis have targeted more than 100 ships with missiles and drones in their campaign, sinking four vessels. The attacks have killed at least nine mariners after a crew member on board one of the vessels targeted, the Minervagracht, died of his wounds in October."

Nine Filipino mariners held by Houthi rebels since a July attack on the Liberian-flagged bulk carrier Eternity C were released and reportedly flown to Oman. The July assault sank the vessel and killed at least four crew, with 11 people still missing. The Houthis said their forces rescued the men after they abandoned the crippled ship and published images of six individuals wearing black-and-white keffiyeh scarves. A Royal Oman Air Force jet landed in Sanaa and later left Yemeni airspace, according to flight-tracking data. The Houthis gave no immediate nationality breakdown of those released.

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