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Joint Forces Command of Coalition: Initiation of Any Act of Piracy, Kidnapping or Hijacking From Any Port Will Render That Port A Legitimate Military Target
A statement by the Official Spokesperson of the Coalition to Restore Legitimacy in Yemen Brigadier General Turki Al-Malki: "Further to the statement issued by the Joint Forces Command of the Coalition regarding the commercial Cargo Ship (RWABEE), which was targeted through piracy and hijacking while sailing off the coast of Al-Hudaydah Governorate at (2357) on Sunday (02 January 2022). This is a criminal act the planning of which was proven to be perpetrated by the terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia through intercepting the cargo ship's course while sailing in international waters and forcibly taking it to Saleef Port. This act of piracy and hijacking was executed from Hodeida Port through interception of the commercial ship in international waterways, which is a blatant violation of the International Humanitarian Law and relevant Laws of the sea; considering that that the (RWABEE) is a commercial cargo ship that was carrying medical field equipment, that were used to operate the Saudi Field Hospital in the Island of (Socotra) following the completion of its humanitarian mission which was providing healthcare and medical services to thousands of Yemenis on the Island. The International Humanitarian Law, the San Remo Manual on Armed Conflicts at Sea and relevant United Nations Conventions guarantee the freedom of navigation and international trade at sea and waterways, while depriving protection and safe haven for pirates, considering that these terrorist acts undermine the security of waterways, and are a direct threat to the freedom of navigation and international trade. This serious, criminal act contradicts the provisions and the underlying spirit of the (Stockholm Agreement) of 2018, specifically the second article of the commitments and the second provision of the Agreement regarding the city of Hodeida and Ports of Hodeida, Ras Isa and Saleef, as well as the continued violations of the terrorist Houthi militia which has exceeded (30,527) deliberate violations. The terrorist, Iran-backed Houthi militia must promptly release the commercial cargo ship (RWABEE) with all its humanitarian, non-combatant cargo intact. Should the militia fail to comply, all ports that launch and harbor these acts of piracy, hijacking and armed robbery, and those pirates who perpetrate them will render said ports legitimate military targets in accordance with the customary International Humanitarian Law and relevant Laws of the Sea."
