Yemen's Houthi rebels hijack cargo ship in Red Sea

Japan has condemned the hijacking of a Japanese-operated, British-owned cargo ship in the Red Sea by Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The Yemeni militia claimed the vessel was Israeli and said the seizure was only the beginning of a "battle at sea".

But Israel confirmed the ship was operated by Japan, with no Israelis on board, and Japan's chief cabinet secretary said it was working towards the ship's release.

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