Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki, the official spokesman for the Coalition Forces "Coalition to Support Legitimacy in Yemen," announced that the cargo ship named "Rawabi," which flies the flag of the United Arab Emirates, was subjected to piracy and hijacking at 11:57 PM on Sunday, January 2, 2022, while sailing off the coast of Al-Hudaydah Governorate.
In a statement from the coalition, Al-Malki explained that the "Rawabi" was on a maritime mission from Socotra Island to Jazan Port, carrying all the equipment necessary for operating the Saudi field hospital on the island after its mission and establishing the hospital there. He added that the ship's cargo included ambulances, medical equipment, communication devices, tents, a field kitchen, a field laundry, and supporting technical and security accessories.
He indicated that the piracy act by the Houthi terrorist militia poses a real threat regarding maritime navigation and global trade in the Bab al-Mandab Strait and the southern Red Sea.
Al-Malki emphasized that the Houthi terrorist militia bears full responsibility for its criminal act of pirating the ship and violating the principles of international humanitarian law, the San Remo guidelines on international law in maritime armed conflicts, and the United Nations maritime agreements.
He stated: "The Houthi militia must immediately release the ship; otherwise, the coalition forces will take all necessary actions and measures to address this violation, including the use of force when necessary."
