Abu Dhabi: UAE’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has said that the attack on a UAE civilian ship carrying aid by Al Houthi militias is a flagrant violation of international norms and conventions and a threat to the freedom of marine navigation in Bab Al Mandab.
“It is a terrorist act supported by regional parties that do not want peace and security to prevail in the region. The civilian ship Swift, owned by the UAE’s National Marine Dredging Company, has transported tonnes of humanitarian aid and thousands of food baskets over the past months,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The targeting of a civilian vessel in international waterways will have dangerous implications and grave consequences on the freedom of international marine navigation. It is a terrorist act that reflects the magnitude of support Al Houthis receive from regional powers, which not want peace and block all ways to reach a political solution in Yemen, the ministry added.
The aid ship, which was attacked off Al Makha by Al Houthis on Saturday, evacuated more than 1,000 Yemenis injured for treatment abroad. It has also shipped electric equipment and power generators to rehabilitate the infrastructure in liberated areas and ease the suffering of children in Aden and other liberated provinces.
The civilian crew of Swift comprises six nationalities — India, Ukraine, Lithuania, Philippines, Egypt and Jordan — and most of the crew are now receiving treatment in the UAE for injuries sustained in the attack.
The ministry said that efforts by the UN Envoy and the international community to resume negotiations and peace in Yemen are being belittled by Al Houthis.
“This is a serious indication to confirm the intention of Al Houthi militias to carry out terrorist attacks targeting international navigation and relief ships in the Bab Al Mandab strait,” the statement added.
According to the statement, the ship was on a routine trip to the city of Aden to deliver medical and relief aid and evacuate wounded civilians for treatment outside Yemen.
Al Houthis and their allies fully realise that it is an aid ship, not a military one, but they mean to target it, the ministry emphasised.
The ministry said it appreciates all international condemnations and warn the rebels and coup plotters from undermining international peace efforts.
It urged the international community to condemn such dangerous practices that breach all international laws and conventions.
On Saturday, The Command of Coalition Forces Supporting Legitimacy in Yemen called the targeting of the Emirati aid ship by Al Houthi militias a “dangerous indication”.
