In a joint statement released today by the governments of Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the international community united in condemning the Houthi attacks against commercial vessels transiting the Red Sea. The statement comes in response to the alarming escalation of attacks witnessed over the past week, involving missiles, small boats, and attempted hijackings.
The coalition of nations emphasized their recognition of the broad consensus expressed by 44 countries on December 19, 2023, and the UN Security Council’s statement on December 1, 2023, denouncing the Houthi attacks. The attacks have been deemed illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing, prompting a unified call for an immediate end to these actions.
The statement reiterated that there is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels. The use of unmanned aerial vehicles, small boats, and missiles, including the deployment of anti-ship ballistic missiles, was underscored as a direct threat to the freedom of navigation, a cornerstone of global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways, the Red Sea.
The Houthi attacks have far-reaching consequences, threatening innocent lives globally and posing a significant international problem that demands collective action. The Red Sea accounts for nearly 15% of global seaborne trade, including 8% of global grain trade, 12% of seaborne-traded oil, and 8% of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade. The disruption caused by these attacks forces international shipping companies to reroute their vessels around the Cape of Good Hope, incurring substantial costs and weeks of delays in the delivery of goods. This jeopardizes the movement of critical food, fuel, and humanitarian assistance worldwide.
The coalition’s message is clear: an immediate end to these illegal attacks is demanded, coupled with the release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The statement warns the Houthi forces that they will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they persist in threatening lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.
As the situation unfolds, the international community remains vigilant in safeguarding the principles that underpin a stable and secure global maritime environment.