The Saudi-led coalition in Yemen accused the Houthis on Monday of “hijacking” an Emirati-flagged vessel in the Red Sea that it claimed was carrying medical supplies but which the rebels described as a military cargo ship.  

“The cargo ship Rawabi sailing under the flag of the United Arab Emirates was targeted through piracy and hijacking while sailing off the coast of al-Hodeidah governorate,” coalition spokesman Turki al-Malki said in a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency.

Malki called on the Houthis to “promptly release the ship or the coalition forces will undertake all necessary measures and procedures to handle this violation, including the use of force if necessary.” 

He said the vessel was headed to the Saudi city of Jazan with medical supplies on board that were used to set up a field hospital on the Yemeni island of Socotra. But Houthi spokesperson Yahya Saree tweeted that the ship had entered Yemen’s waters without permission and was “carrying out hostile activities” when seized by the rebels. The Houthis also published a video they claimed showed military equipment, including assault rifles, on the vessel.