Barran Press
Sixteen sailors from Syria and India have been stranded in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah since Israeli airstrikes last weekend, according to the International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF). Eight of the sailors are trapped aboard the ship "Captain Tariq," according to the maritime safety website Safety4Sea.
The ITF reported that they successfully helped eight Syrian sailors disembark the "Captain Tarek" and find refuge in a hotel. They are now focused on ensuring the remaining eight sailors on the same ship can also disembark and return to India.
Mohamed Al-Rashidi, the ITF's Arab and Iranian network coordinator, described the dire situation facing the sailors, who are suffering from trauma after being abandoned in a war zone.
Safety4Sea reported that the ship's flag is currently unclear, although it was previously reported to be flying the flag of Comoros or Egypt.
The recent airstrikes on Hodeidah, which targeted the refinery and electricity infrastructure, have exacerbated the situation, according to Safety4Sea. The attacks have resulted in casualties and port closures, further impacting the plight of the sailors.
On Saturday, July 20, Israeli warplanes launched airstrikes on Hodeidah port, targeting fuel tanks, a power station, and other facilities. The attacks resulted in fires that burned for days.
According to Houthi statistics, the Israeli strikes resulted in the deaths of nine civilians and injuries to 80 others. Many consider this the first such attack since the Houthis engaged in military operations against Israel in support of Gaza on November 21, 2023.
Israel later claimed responsibility for the airstrikes. An Israeli military spokesperson stated that their warplanes targeted Houthi targets in the Hodeidah port area in Yemen. The spokesperson claimed the strikes were in retaliation for Houthi attacks over the past few months.
Last Friday, the Israeli Broadcasting Corporation reported the death of an Israeli and injuries to 10 others after a drone crashed in Tel Aviv. The Houthi group claimed responsibility for the attack, describing it as "unprecedented."