THE 25 forgotten sailors of the hijacked British-Israeli Galaxy Leader cargo ship were taken captive by the Houthi pirates six months ago today.
Yemen's government confirmed to The Sun that despite repeated demands for their release, the militia group won't back down - and Iran is to blame.
The $50million vessel was hijacked by the Iran-sponsored Houthi rebels in the Red Sea on November 19.
Its entire international crew were taken hostage in what the gunmen clinging to the sides of a helicopter screamed was revenge for Israel's war in Gaza.
The car carrier was pulled back to Hodeidah in the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen as a trophy to taunt the West and supporters of the militants flocked to the site to share in the spoils of war.
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But the fates of the 25 sailors - who mostly hail from the Philippines as well as Romania, Ukraine, Bulgaria and Mexico - remain in the hands of the terror group.
Despite having nothing to do with the conflict, today marks six painful months of their detention.
A spokesperson for Yemen's Ministry of Foreign Affairs told The Sun: "The terrorist militia is still refusing to release any one of them after half a year of captivity as hostages.
"The Yemeni government has been actively engaged in diplomatic efforts to secure the release of the hostages.
"Despite international appeals, condemnations from the United Nations Security Council, the terrorist Houthi militia did not respond to any humanitarian calls for their release.
"We firmly believe that the most effective approach to securing the release of the hostages is by exerting pressure on the Iranian regime, as it holds significant influence over the decisions made by the terrorist Houthi militias."
The spokesperson confirmed the detainees include 17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans and one Romanian.
Their identities have been kept from the public.
Following the hijacking, a video was released by the Houthis showing its commanders greeting the crew.
“Anything that you need we are ready to provide it for you,” one of them is heard telling the hostages in the clip.
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Nothing has been seen of them since.
Filipino diplomatic sources have said they do not expect the captives to be released until Israel's war in Gaza is over.
This week, a Red Cross delegation was allowed to visit the hostages in Hodeidah for the first time since they were detained - but did not share further details on their welfare.
In December, the Isle of Man registered owner Galaxy Maritime Ltd, demanded the return of its ship's crew, but stated they appeared to be being "treated well".
In a statement, they said: "The safety and welfare of the crew members remains the priority.... and the modest contact that has been allowed with crew members and their families suggests that the seafarers are being treated as well as can be expected in the circumstances.
"The 25 crew members being held have no connection whatsoever with the current situation in the region," it said.
"Nothing can be achieved by their further detention."
For now, the Galaxy Leader remains anchored in Hodeidah, draped in Yemeni and Palestinian flags and anti-American and anti-Israeli banners.
