The Governments of Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Kenya, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Korea, Romania, United Kingdom, and the United States have expressed their deep concern and collective resolve in response to the ongoing illegal and reckless Houthi attacks against vessels in the Red Sea and surrounding waterways.
In a coordinated effort, the armed forces of the United States and the United Kingdom, with the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, the Netherlands, and New Zealand, executed targeted strikes against eight locations in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen. These actions were carried out in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense, as recognized by the UN Charter, and aimed at disrupting and degrading the Houthi capability to further threaten global trade and the safety of mariners.
The statement emphasizes that the Houthi attacks, numbering over thirty since mid-November, pose a direct threat to all nations relying on international maritime shipping. Condemning these attacks unequivocally, the international coalition demands an immediate cessation of such actions. Additionally, the governments express their strong condemnation of those who provide weapons to the Houthis, a violation of UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law.
The joint statement highlights the international response on January 22 as a testament to the shared commitment of the involved nations to uphold navigational rights and freedoms. The coalition reiterates its dedication to defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks, emphasizing the importance of collective action to maintain peace and security in the vital maritime routes of the Red Sea and adjacent waters.
This joint initiative underscores the collaborative efforts of the international community to address threats to global maritime security, sending a clear message that actions undermining the safety of international shipping will be met with a robust and unified response.
