In a resolute show of unity, ten nations, including Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, United Kingdom, and the United States, have issued a joint statement condemning the continued Houthi attacks on vessels, particularly commercial shipping, transiting the Red Sea.
The coalition’s declaration, dated January 3, 2024, reiterated the global consensus expressed by 44 countries on December 19, 2023, and emphasized the United Nations Security Council’s condemnation of Houthi assaults on merchant vessels on December 1, 2023. The statement warned of severe consequences for malign actors who persist in threatening lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.
Despite the stern warning, the Red Sea has witnessed ongoing attacks, including the launch of missiles and one-way attack aerial vehicles on January 9, 2024, targeting vessels, including those from the United States and the United Kingdom. Responding decisively, the UN Security Council passed UNSCR 2722 on January 10, 2024, condemning these attacks and demanding an immediate cessation.
In direct response to the continuous threats posed by Houthi attacks against vessels, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia, conducted joint precision strikes on Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These strikes, carried out in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense as outlined in the UN Charter, aimed to disrupt and degrade Houthi capabilities that jeopardize global trade and the lives of international mariners in the Red Sea.
The more than two dozen attacks on commercial vessels by the Houthis since mid-November have posed a significant international challenge. The joint military action taken today reflects a shared commitment among these nations to uphold freedom of navigation, international commerce, and the protection of mariners from unjustifiable and illegal attacks.
While the coalition’s primary objective remains the de-escalation of tensions and the restoration of stability in the Red Sea, the message from the ten nations is clear: in the face of continued threats, they will not hesitate to defend lives and safeguard the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways.
