(VOVWORLD) - A group of countries led by the United States — including the members of NATO and the European Union — released a joint statement denouncing the repeated attacks by the Houthi rebels in Yemen on commercial shipping in the Red Sea, warning that they threaten international commerce and maritime security.
 The Galaxy Leader cargo ship seized by the Houthis offshore of the Al-Salif port on the Red Sea in the province of Hodeidah (Photo: AFP/ VNA) |
The statement said attacks over the past few weeks have threatened the movement of food, fuel, humanitarian assistance, and other essential commodities to destinations and populations all over the world.
The United States on Monday announced a 10-nation coalition to quell Houthi missile and drone attacks on ships transiting the Red Sea, with Britain, France, Bahrain and Italy among the countries joining the multinational security initiative.
The countries in the coalition will conduct joint patrols to assure safe shipping in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna, said: “Measures will be taken in coordination with our allies. We need to strengthen our operational capacity in this area to put an end to these attacks.”
The world’s top container lines, including MSC, CMA CGM, Maersk, and Hapag-Lloyd have all paused their vessels transiting the Red Sea and are rerouting via the Cape of Good Hope as Houthi militia step up their attacks on commercial shipping.
The Red Sea attacks pose yet another threat to the global economy. Traffic through the Red Sea accounts for 10 to 12 per cent of the world's maritime traffic and about 5 per cent of the world's oil transport.
On Tuesday, Yemen-based Houthi militants said they will not stop their “military operations” in the Red Sea until Israel stops its Gaza offensive.