Huthi Militia In Yemen Intercepts Cargo Ship Carrying Medical Equipment, 1 Indonesian Citizen Is Also Taken Prisoner

JAKARTA - An Indonesian citizen who was held hostage by the Houthi militia in Yemen is in good health.

Director of the Protection of Indonesian Citizens (PWNI) Indonesian Legal Entity (BHI) Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Kemlu) Judha Nugraha said the hostage-taking occurred on January 7, 2022.

The victim served as a crew member on a ship transporting medical equipment for a field hospital in Saudi Arabia. The ship was intercepted by the Houthis while on the island of Socotra, Yemen.

"The crew with the initials SHP have communicated with their families and informed them that they are in good health and receiving good treatment from the Houthis," said Judha in a statement received in Jakarta, Antara, Wednesday, January 12.

SHP works on the cargo ship Rwabee belonging to the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“The ship is currently being held by the Houthi group in Yemen. There are 10 other crew members from various nationalities," said Judha.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs through the Indonesian Representatives in Abu Dhabi, Muscat and Riyadh is coordinating with related parties to immediately repatriate SHP.

Based on a written statement from the Makassar Bumiseram Alumni Corps (CABM), the sailor who was held hostage by the Houthi militia in Yemen was named Surya Hidayat Pratama.

Currently, Surya, along with 10 colleagues from various countries have been transferred to Porta Camp in Yemen. CABM is an alumni organization of the Maritime Science Polytechnic, of which Surya is a member.