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White House demands Houthis release vessel captured in Red Sea
19 November 2023 23:59 GMT
The White House has responded to news that Houthi forces seized a vessel in the Red Sea, calling it a "flagrant violation of international law".
"We demand the immediate release of the ship and its crew. We will consult with our UN partners for the appropriate next steps," a National Security Council spokesperson said in a statement to Al Jazeera.
On Sunday, the Israeli military said that Yemen's Houthis had seized a cargo ship that was sailing from Turkey to India, adding that the vessel was not Israeli-owned and had no Israelis among its crew.
Since 7 October, Washington has increased its military footprint in the Middle East by sending carrier strike groups, fighter jets, and a nuclear-powered submarine.