AL-MUKALLA: The EU and the UK have condemned the Iran-backed Houthis for attacking ships in the Red Sea and undermining security along the vital traffic route, the latest strong reaction from the international community.
Peter Stano, EU spokesperson for foreign affairs and security policy, said the Houthis’ threats to international navigation in the Red Sea and their latest missile attacks on the Norwegian tanker Strinda and other ships are “unacceptable,” and urged them to cease the attacks and release the crew of the seized Galaxy Leader ship.
He also urged all countries not to support the Houthis’ “illegal” activities.
“The EU reiterates its call on the Houthis to refrain from further threats and attacks to international shipping lanes and calls for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader vessel and its 25-member crew, illegally seized on 19 November from international waters in the southern Red Sea,” Stano said in a statement.
Abda Sharif, UK ambassador to Yemen, warned that the Houthi attacks would not only threaten international commercial shipping traffic in the Red Sea but also exacerbate the already dire humanitarian crisis in Yemen by undermining food supplies as 80 percent of the nation’s food imports pass through its ports on the Red Sea.
“Continued threats to international commercial shipping will ultimately restrict the availability of food as commercial shipping will not risk their vessels and their crew. Insurance costs of shipping have begun to increase and will drive up food prices and increase humanitarian need,” she said.
The international outrage over the Houthi attacks came as the United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations sent an alert on Thursday afternoon about an entity claiming to be the Yemeni Navy ordering a vessel to change its course to Yemen, advising vessels to remain cautious.
“UKMTO has received a report of an entity declaring itself to be the Yemeni Navy, ordering a vessel to alter course to Yemen. Vessels in the vicinity are advised to exercise caution and report any suspicious activity to UKMTO,” it said on X.
Chief Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam said they would continue to target all ships sailing to Israel or those seeking to protect them, regardless of nationality, until Israel stopped bombing Gaza and allowed all food and water supplies to enter the strip.
The Houthis have launched explosive-laden drones and cruise missiles against international commercial ships and also targeted US and French warships.
US Central Command said on Thursday that the USS Mason, a guided-missile destroyer of the Arleigh-Burke class, prevented the Houthis from boarding and seizing the motor vessel Ardmore Encounter, which was in the Red Sea on Wednesday morning, using small vessels.
The Houthis, unable to seize the vessel, launched two missiles from areas under their control toward the ship and also fired a drone that was shot down by the US destroyer.
