Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi movement has released the crew of a cargo ship more than a year after its fighters hijacked the vessel in the Red Sea, as part of its campaign of attacks in support of Hamas in its war against Israel.

The Houthi rebels released the crew of the Galaxy Leader, captured in November 2023, as part of efforts to de-escalate attacks following a Gaza ceasefire. The move, influenced by Omani mediation, may aim to avoid designation as a Foreign Terrorist Organization under US pressure.