Philippines to ask ‘friendly countries' for help freeing 9 sailors held by Houthis in Yemen
The Iran-backed Houthis released video footage on Monday of crew members missing after attacks on the Eternity C and Magic Seas cargo ships, claiming in an accompanying statement to have 'rescued' the mariners.
Last week, Human Rights Watch said the rebels were unlawfully detaining the crew and that their attacks on shipping amounted to war crimes. The
United States has accused the Houthis of kidnapping.
Philippine Foreign Undersecretary Eduardo De Vega confirmed the Houthis were holding nine Filipino seafarers.
'I do not want to use the term hostage. At least we know they are alive,' he said.
'We're not going to talk directly with the Houthis. We're going to seek help from friendly countries,' he added.
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