
Sofia, Bulgaria – Bulgarian sailors Lyubomir Chanev and Danail Veselinov have returned home after enduring 14 months of captivity by the Yemeni Houthi rebel group.
Their long-awaited arrival at Sofia Airport on Tuesday marked the end of a harrowing 430-day ordeal that began with the hijacking of their ship, the Galaxy Leader, in the Red Sea.
The two sailors were accompanied by a Romanian crew member, who was welcomed by Romania’s ambassador.
The release of the sailors followed a complex diplomatic operation spearheaded by Oman, a key mediator in regional conflicts.
Their return is tied to broader geopolitical developments, including a ceasefire in Gaza, which facilitated negotiations between the Houthis and Hamas.
The Omani government played a crucial role in securing the sailors’ freedom, working behind the scenes to broker the agreement that led to their release.
The Galaxy Leader, a cargo vessel with a multinational crew of 25 members from Ukraine, the Philippines, Mexico, Romania, and Bulgaria, was hijacked on November 19, 2023, by the Yemeni Houthi movement Ansar Allah.
The attack took place amid escalating tensions following the outbreak of war between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas.
The hijacking was part of a broader pattern of maritime disruptions in the Red Sea, with the Houthis targeting vessels in what they claimed were retaliatory actions against Western-backed Israeli operations.
Footage broadcast by Omani television showed the sailors arriving in Muscat, the capital of Oman, where they appeared in good health.
The operation to secure their release gained traction after the recent ceasefire in Gaza, with Yemeni Houthi officials acknowledging the mediation efforts by Oman.
Statements from senior Houthi leaders, including Abdulmalik al-Houthi, emphasized coordination with Hamas in the negotiations.
The timeline leading to their release featured several key developments. On May 12, 2024, five days after the ship’s capture, the Houthis permitted representatives of the Red Cross and journalists to meet with the detained crew.
On September 19, 2024, Bulgarian MEP Elena Yoncheva visited Chanev and Veselinov in the Yemeni port city of Hodeidah, advocating for their release.
Finally, on January 21, 2025, after months of diplomatic engagement, the hostages were freed, marking the end of their ordeal.
The emotional homecoming of the sailors was marked by joyful reunions at Sofia Airport. The two Bulgarians, along with Filipino, Ukrainian, Mexican, and Romanian crew members, were seen smiling in footage from Sana’a, the Houthi-controlled Yemeni capital.
Houthi Deputy Prime Minister Jalal al-Rowaishan and Hamas representative Moaz Abu Shamala framed the release as part of broader efforts linked to the Gaza ceasefire, highlighting its political significance.
The freed sailors were transported from Yemen on an Omani Air Force plane before continuing their journeys home. Their return brings closure to a grueling chapter in their lives, as they now look ahead to rebuilding their futures after more than a year in captivity.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members