Joint Statement Calls for Immediate End to Illegal Attacks on International Shipping

The governments of the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom have issued a joint statement calling for an immediate end to illegal attacks on international shipping by the Iran-backed Houthis. The statement warns that the Houthis will bear responsibility for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of trade in the region’s vital waterways. This comes after the Houthis have carried out 24 illegal missile and drone attacks on international ships, including a significant escalation targeting merchant vessels, since the hijacking of the M/V Galaxy Leader on November 19.

The joint statement reiterates the condemnation of the ongoing Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, emphasizing the illegality and destabilizing nature of these attacks. It highlights the threat to the freedom of navigation and the significant impact on global trade, with 15 percent of global maritime trade passing through the Red Sea. The statement demands an immediate end to the illegal attacks and the release of the illegally detained vessels and crews, emphasizing the commitment to the international, rules-based order and determination to hold bad actors accountable.

The joint statement underscores the serious impact of Houthi attacks on global maritime trade and the need for collective action to address this significant international problem. It emphasizes the responsibility of the Houthis for the consequences of their actions, including threatening lives and the global economy. The statement calls for the immediate release of illegally detained vessels and crews, demonstrating a strong commitment to upholding the international, rules-based order and holding bad actors accountable for their unlawful seizures and attacks.

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