ABU DHABI // The Houthi rebels’ attack on a UAE ship owned by the National Marine Dredging Company has strengthened its resolve to continue humanitarian work in Yemen, a spokesman said.
The Swift vessel had been sailing to the UAE from Yemen early on Saturday morning when it came under fire from Houthi militia near the entrance of the Bab Al Mandeb Strait, between the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
Early reports suggested that a fire had broken out at the observation deck, said Khalid Al Ameri, spokesman for the NMDC. But as the investigation continued it became clear that it was after a missile was fired in a “terror attack”.
“We are really disappointed by such acts by the Houthis because we never expected that someone would hit a humanitarian vessel supporting the Yemeni people,” Mr Al Ameri said. “This attack will not stop our work there. On the other way around, it will give us strength to continue.”
The ship has been taking humanitarian aid to Yemen for about a year. It was leased by the UAE, it is a civilian ship because it does not carry weapons and is operated by private citizens working for the NMDC.
The ship was carrying was carrying assistance, wounded Yemenis and passengers, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The 24 crew members on board came from Ukraine, Poland, India, the Philippines, Egypt and Jordan, said Mr Al Ameri. No Emiratis were on board and all who were injured are receiving medical treatement in the UAE. Mr Al Ameri said three crewmen were injured in the attack. Two of the men have been released from hospital.
The ship’s captain, who underwent an operation on Tuesday, is in stable condition, recovering from his injuries at hospital.
The Swift is being towed back to the UAE, said Mr Al Ameri, adding that he did not know the full extent of its damages.
“We couldn’t believe that somebody would attack a civilian humanitarian vessel. It’s never been done before,” said Mr Al Ameri.
“We were really shocked by that. We will never stop our humanitarian help. We will never stop.”
rpennington@thenational.ae
