A spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition backing the Yemeni government reported that Houthi rebels boarded a tug off the coast of Hodeidah and sources say that the tug has been brought to the Houthi-controlled seaport of Salif, just north of Hodeidah.
Specifically, the illegally boarded tug is said to be the offshore tug “Rabigh 3”, flagged and owned in Saudi Arabia, as identified by Saudi sources.
Additionally, Al Jazeera states that Rabigh 3 had a tow, which was also captured; the tow was a South Korean-owned drill rig.
According to Reuters, the South Korean Foreign Ministry reported that except the already seized Korean dredger, the Houthi rebels also seized a Korean tugboat and a Saudi tugboat, along with 16 sailors including two South Koreans.
The Saudi spokesman, Col. Turki Al-Maliki noted in a press conference that the vessels was hijacked on Monday, while sailing through the southern Red Sea, attacked by two boats carrying terrorists belonging to the Houthi militia.
He further added that the Houthis have for a long time affecting the security of the Bab al-Mandeb Strait with their acts of piracy and kidnapping.
In the meantime, Houthi leader Mohammed Ali al-Houthi commented via his Twitter account that “Yemeni waters are protected”, adding that there is a case of suspicion and the Yemen Coast Guard is doing its job.
According to deutsche welle, the Houthi leader tries to understand whether the seized vessel belonged to the aggressors or to South Korea, adding that “”If it is for South Korea, they will be released after legal procedures.”
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It’s time to stop talking about piracy and start acting on counter measures . Employ or train defense on every vessel which sails in areas of suspected piracy. Train your crew to defend them self’s and the vessel with lethal weapons or hire companies to sail with your vessel to perform that task. Than and only then this will stop piracy