US and global allies warn Houthis to stop attacks in the Red Sea… or else: The White House and American partners release statement warning of ‘consequences’ if terrorists keep targeting ships
- Iran-backed Houthi rebels have attacked shipping in the Red Sea
- Twelve countries demanded an immediate end and warned of 'consequences'
The United States and 11 international partners on Wednesday demanded an immediate end to shipping attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.
It came hours after the group claimed to have launched an attack on a ship bound for Israel and days after the US Central Command (CENTCOM) said US helicopters had killed Houthis when they tried to attack ships.
“Let our message now be clear: we call for an immediate end to these illegal attacks and the release of unlawfully detained ships and crews,” said the statement signed by governments of the US, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.
“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 critical waterways.”
The Yemeni rebels are supported by Iran. They have stepped up attacks on international shipping since Hamas' October 7 attack on Israel, which they say is an act of solidarity with the Palestinians.
White House national security spokesman John Kirby said: “As we have made clear, these actions pose a direct threat to freedom of navigation and global trade and endanger innocent lives.”
Houthi forces stand guard during a protest against a multinational operation to protect shipping in the Red Sea and in solidarity with the Palestinian people, in Sana'a, Yemen
“As we have made clear, these actions pose a direct threat to freedom of navigation and global trade and endanger innocent lives,” national security spokesman John Kirby said at the White House.
“This joint statement demonstrates the resolve of global partners against these unlawful attacks and underscores our commitment to holding malicious actors accountable for their actions.”
He added that a thirteenth country, Singapore, had signed the statement after its release.
Several shipping companies have halted navigation through the Red Sea as a result of the attacks, using the longer route around Africa instead.
Several countries have joined together to launch Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect shipping in the region.
Kirby said he couldn't rule out the idea that American consumers would see the price of imported goods rise.
“At this point, we have not seen an uptick or any specific impact on the U.S. economy,” he said.
“But make no mistake: it is an important international waterway and can have an impact on the global economy.”
Seven Houthis were killed this weekend in a collision with US helicopters after their boats fired on a Singapore-flagged container ship.
A cargo ship crosses the Suez Canal, one of the most critical man-made waterways, in Ismailia, Egypt on December 29, 2023
The militants targeted ships crossing the crucial shipping route in support of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas
US Central Command said the USS Gravely and USS Laboon responded to the ship's distress call after it was hit by a missile on Saturday.
“This is the Houthis' 23rd illegal attack on international shipping since November 19,” CENTCOM said.
Warships responded to a second call the next day when the ship was attacked by small boats, reaching to a depth of about 60 feet.
American helicopters from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower and the Gravely. They first gave warnings, but still came under small arms fire.
“The U.S. Navy helicopters returned fire in self-defense,” sinking three of the four boats, the statement continued.