US condemns Houthi hijacking of UAE-flagged cargo ship

The United States has condemned the Houthi militia's hijacking of a UAE-flagged cargo ship off the coast of Yemen's Al Hudaydah Governorate, earlier this week.

US State Department Spokesman Ned Price said the act poses a threat to the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and compromises international trade and regional security.

He also urged the Houthis to immediately release the vessel and its crew unharmed.

"The Houthis' actions come at a time when all parties must work to deescalate [the situation] and turn to political talks," added Price.

The ship, carrying medical equipment from a shuttered field hospital, was heading to the Saudi port of Jazan, from Yemen's Socotra island when it was hijacked on Sunday.