Indian sailor Anil Kumar Ravindran, who was captured in Yemen for five months after the attack by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, has finally been freed. The Foreign Ministry officially confirmed this on Thursday. Former soldier Anil Ravindran, a resident of Pathiyur in Kerala, was among the crew of the Liberian-flagged cargo ship MV Eternity C. On July 7 this year, Houthi rebels attacked this ship with a missile. The ship sank in this attack and four crew members were killed. The remaining 11 sailors were taken into custody by Houthi rebels. Anil was also included in these.
Houthi rebels on Wednesday released all the 11 captive sailors including Anil. Everyone was taken from Yemen’s capital Sanaa to Muscat by a special aircraft of the Royal Oman Air Force.
The Foreign Ministry spokesperson issued a statement saying, ‘The Government of India welcomes the release of Anilkumar Raveendran. He reached Muscat yesterday and will return to India soon. The Government of India was continuously negotiating with various parties for their safe release and return home. We express our heartfelt gratitude to the Sultanate of Oman for facilitating the release of Anil Kumar Raveendran.
How did Anil come under the control of Houthi?
MV Eternity C in the Red Sea was attacked by Houthi rebels with drones and missiles on the night of July 7. Of the 25 crew on board, four died on the spot, while the remaining crew were abducted by Houthi rebels.
In fact, Iran-backed Houthi rebels had been attacking ships passing through the Red Sea since last year in protest against the Gaza war. So far they have attacked more than 100 ships with missiles and drones, sunk four ships and killed at least nine sailors. Many crew have been held hostage for months.
In what condition is Anil’s family?
Anil’s family was living in uncertainty for the last five months in Pathiyur village in Alappuzha district of Kerala. Anil is an ex-serviceman and used to do a good job in the Merchant Navy. A few days after being detained, he called his family and told them that he was safe. That one call gave some relief to the family, but every day the question was that when would he return?
Anil’s wife and two children waited for every TV news bulletin. People in the village used to perform puja daily. Finally, when the news came on Wednesday evening that all the 11 sailors including Anil had been released, there was a wave of happiness in the house. Neighbors and relatives started arriving with sweets.
How was Anil released?
According to sources in the Ministry of External Affairs, India held continuous talks with Oman, Saudi Arabia and Qatar in the last five months. Oman played the role of mediator, because its channel of communication with the Houthi rebels is open. A special plane of the Royal Oman Air Force reached Sanaa and brought all 11 sailors to Muscat. Houthi media channel Al-Masirah also confirmed that the sailors had been handed over to Oman.
In the statement of the Foreign Ministry, special thanks have been given to Oman. Sources say that Anil Ravindran will reach India today or tomorrow from Muscat via Mumbai or Kochi.
The Red Sea crisis is not over yet, although Anil’s release is a news of relief. Shipping companies have suffered billions of dollars in losses due to Houthi attacks in the last one year. Ships going from India to Europe now have to detour to Africa, due to which the cost of freight transportation has increased by 40%. Many Indian sailors are still on different ships and are in danger.
