Oman secures release of crew of the ship Galaxy Leader
The Foreign Ministry has announced the successful release of the crew of the ship Galaxy Leader and their arrival in the Sultanate of Oman.
The release of the crew, made up of 25 individuals of five nationalities (the Philippines, Bulgaria, Mexico, Ukraine, and Romania) represents a significant achievement reflecting the Sultanate of Oman’s commitment to its regional and international humanitarian role.
In an official statement the Ministry said the crew members were transported from Sanaa to the Omani capital, Muscat, aboard a Royal Air Force of Oman aircraft in preparation for their return to their respective countries.
Oman has expressed its gratitude and appreciation for the fruitful cooperation of all parties involved in Yemen, which facilitated this humanitarian operation.
Commenting on the X social media platform, Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr Albusaidi said : ” We are happy to confirm the release of the crew of Galaxy Leader and their safe arrival in Oman.
“We thank everyone, both in Yemen and elsewhere, who helped make this happen.
“Even in troubled times sincere collective efforts can bring big wins. Oman will always support such initiatives in a spirit of dialogue and partnership,” he added.
Sayyid Badr noted that this achievement highlights the importance of joint cooperation and mutual understanding in addressing humanitarian issues.
He reaffirmed Oman’s commitment to supporting initiatives that foster dialogue, trust, and partnership, contributing to peace and stability in the region. He noted that this operation serves as a leading example of international collaboration in addressing humanitarian challenges.
Hans Grundberg, the UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, expressed his gratitude to Oman for its tireless efforts in securing the release of the Galaxy Leader crew and its unwavering support in such endeavours.
He described the crew’s release as positive news, representing a step in the right direction. He urged Ansar Allah to continue taking similar positive actions on all fronts.
Mr Grundberg emphasised that such measures are crucial for creating an environment conducive to mediation, ultimately facilitating the long-awaited resumption of the Yemeni political process, which millions of Yemenis have been hoping for.
These efforts underscore Oman’s pivotal role in addressing humanitarian crises and promoting regional stability. They reflect Oman’s steadfast vision of achieving shared interests and alleviating the suffering of those affected through dialogue and partnership.
Crew members Marcos Gomez Jerez and Ator Zacarias from the United Mexican States expressed their thanks to the Government of the Sultanate of Oman for its pivotal role and efforts to release the ship’s crew and the negotiations it led with the Ansar Allah group.
Lumir Chayvin, Bulgarian captain of the Galaxy Leader, expressed his thanks to the Sultanate of Oman and his happiness for the efforts made in preparation for his return to his homeland in good health after more than a year.
Florin Marius Tacu, Ambassador of the Republic of Romania to the Sultanate of Oman, expressed his thanks and gratitude to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik and his Government for releasing a Romanian citizen and the rest of the crew. He praised the exceptional humanitarian efforts, dedication and support Oman has provided.
Anibal Gomez Toledo, Mexico's Ambassador to Oman, said that the Mexican government highly appreciates the commitment and humanitarian efforts of the Sultanate of Oman in releasing the crew members of the Galaxy Leader ship.
This is an unofficial English version of an Arabic report. To view the official Arabic text, click here.