KUALA LUMPUR, SEPANG, May 19 — Israeli naval forces have detained 16 Malaysian activists in international waters near Cyprus. The maritime units intercepted nine aid vessels belonging to the Global Sumud Flotilla early yesterday morning.
The Sumud Nusantara Command Centre confirmed the encounter in a special press briefing. Command center officials tracked the incident in the Mediterranean Sea. The location sits roughly 241 nautical miles from the Gaza coast.
+-------------------------------------------------------------+
| MISSION AT A GLANCE: GSF 2.0 (Malaysian) |
+-----------------------------+-------------------------------+
| Total Aid Vessels Held | 9 Ships |
| Malaysian Activists Detained| 16 Persons |
| Interception Location | International Waters (Cyprus) |
+-----------------------------+-------------------------------+
Director-General Datuk Dr Sani Araby Abdul Alim Araby reported that the military forces acted aggressively. He stressed that the fleet sailed inside legal international waters. The movement fully complied with the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
The 16 Malaysian citizens traveled aboard three specific ships named the Amanda, the Isobella, and the Cactus. The passenger manifest includes Zainal Rashid Ahmad, Muhamad Muhsin Zaidi, Mohammad Shazly Mohammad Shees, and Tengku Ahmad Taufik Tengku Noor Zahari.
“We demand the immediate and unconditional release of our citizens,” Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim stated from Kuala Lumpur.
The Malaysian government is currently working with international bodies to ensure the safety of the volunteers. Meanwhile, the command center continues to monitor the welfare of the remaining international crew members.
