Bulgarian Crew Members Freed as Houthi Rebels Release 'Galaxy Leader' Crew (UPDATED)

Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen have released the crew of the Galaxy Leader vessel, which had been held for over a year following its hijacking off the Yemeni coast. According to reports from Houthi-run Al Masirah TV, the crew was freed as part of efforts to support the recently signed ceasefire agreement between Israel and the Hamas movement in Gaza. The release was facilitated through coordination with Hamas and mediation efforts by the Sultanate of Oman.

The crew, which includes citizens from Bulgaria, Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, and Romania, was handed over to Oman. Among them are two Bulgarian nationals, Captain Lyubomir Chanev and Chief Mate Danail Veselinov. Captain Chanev's sister confirmed the release in a telephone interview with bTV.

Updates:

Bulgarian authorities have confirmed the release of Lyubomir Chanev and Danail Veselinov, the captain and assistant captain of the Galaxy Leader ship, who were detained in Yemen for over a year. According to a statement by MEP Elena Yoncheva, the sailors are currently on their way to Muscat, Oman. Yoncheva, who is already in Muscat, announced that a Bulgarian delegation led by Foreign Minister Georg Georgiev is expected to arrive there tonight. The delegation plans to make a joint statement and provide further details regarding the release.

Chanev and Veselinov were detained alongside 23 other crew members on the Husus ship, and their release marks the end of a prolonged captivity. Yoncheva mentioned that a special flight by Omani Airlines is expected to bring the sailors to Muscat within hours. The delegation and Yoncheva will oversee the final arrangements for their return to Bulgaria.

Arabist Prof. Vladimir Chukov commented on Nova TV that the...