The United States and Arab Coalition have condemned the hijacking of a UAE cargo ship off the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah .

In a statement, the Arab Coalition termed the action a flagrant violation of the principles of international law.

It said that the ship had been transporting medical equipment from the remote Yemeni island of Socotra to the Saudi port of Jazan when armed Houthis attacked it.

The coalition demanded that the ship and all of its cargo be released from the port of Salif, otherwise, it would make it a legitimate military target.

Meanwhile, in a statement, the State Department said these actions interfere with freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and threaten international trade and regional security.