Houthis Release ‘Galaxy Leader’ Crew After 430 Days in Captivity as Red Sea Tensions Ease

The 25 crew members of the car carrier Galaxy Leader have been released and transferred to Oman after spending 430 days in Houthi captivity following their November 2023 capture in the Red Sea.

The car carrier, hijacked on November 19, 2023, became an early symbol of the Houthi campaign against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, which saw widespread attacks, vessel damage, and loss of life.

The release follows the implementation of a Gaza ceasefire, now in its initial phase, and a recent announcement from the Iranian-backed Houthis indicating a scale-back of attacks on Red Sea shipping. However, the group maintains it will continue targeting vessels with Is…