Bangladesh strongly condemned the Houthi militias’ hijacking of a UAE flag-bearing cargo ship called Rawabi off the coast of Al Hudayah Governorate.

The ship, engaged in medical field equipment for a Saudi Field Hospital in the Island, was hijacked on January 2, 2022.

A statement released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh labeled the attack as a heinous one. The attack obstructs humanitarian and relief work in the war- affected area of Yemen and is morally unjustifiable and shows utter lack of respect for international norms and values, it said.

Bangladesh is concerned that such insensible and illegal acts are being deliberately repeated and directed against the humanitarian and relief activities being conducted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its coalition partners.

Bangladesh particularly condemns that the hijacking of the ship which is ill-motivated and illegal and constitutes a terrorist act and piracy against  the ship and its crew.  This act is also a gross violation of international humanitarian law. 

Bangladesh calls upon the criminals who carried out this attack and hijacking to take urgent action to release the ship and evacuate from it. Bangladesh in principle underscores the need to ensure safety and security of the international maritime laws along all maritime routes including the Southern Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden as well as the Arabian Sea.    

Bangladesh reiterates its firm solidarity with the Kingdom of Saudi  Arabia and its brotherly people against any threats to its security and stability. Bangladesh also remains steadfast in its commitment towards the regional efforts for maintenance of peace and stability in the region.