The US and its Allies Urge Other Countries: Do Not Encourage Houthis in Attacking Ships

The United States, the European Union, NATO, and a group representing 44 allied countries condemned the attacks by Houthi rebels supported by the Islamic Republic on ships in the Red Sea in a statement issued on Tuesday, December 19. In this joint statement, the allied countries described the Houthi attacks as an interference with the right and freedom of navigation in the waters of the Arabian Peninsula, particularly the Red Sea. They reminded that the Houthi attacks have a direct impact on the transportation of food, fuel, humanitarian aid, and other essential items for people around the world. Therefore, they urged other countries neither to encourage nor facilitate these Houthi actions. The countries warned the Houthi rebels to immediately release the Galaxy Leader ship and its crew and to cease attacks on commercial vessels in the region's waters. The signatories of the statement include Josep Borrell, the EU's foreign policy chief representing the EU, Jens Stoltenberg, NATO's Secretary-General representing member countries, Australia, the Bahamas, Japan, Liberia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, the United States, and the Yemeni government. Matthew Miller, a spokesperson for the US State Department, welcomed the participation of countries in a new group formed to patrol the waters of the region. He stated that any country can join this new group at any time. In a UN meeting, Miller responded to a question from one of the participants regarding the rising execution statistics in Iran this year, stating that Iran has taken actions to suppress its people and that they have questioned the Iranian judiciary several times, but there has been no change from the past. The US State Department spokesperson further emphasized: 'The Iranian regime has taken actions against its people not only in the past three months but over the past several years, which is why we have publicly pointed them out and taken action (sanctions) to hold them accountable.' The Houthi rebels, who are supported by the Islamic Republic, have launched attacks on ships in the region since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas led by Israel on October 7. They have threatened all ships belonging to Israel and any ships heading towards Israeli ports. Following these attacks, major shipping companies, as well as the major oil and gas company British Petroleum (BP), announced that trade through the vital waterway of the Red Sea has been suspended. The United States has not attacked the Houthis to date and has not targeted any of their weapons or sites. The US Secretary of Defense did not respond to the question on Monday, December 18, regarding why the Pentagon has not conducted retaliatory attacks. Previously, Lloyd Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, announced during his trip to the Middle East the formation of a new naval force to protect ships passing through the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden to counter Houthi attacks from Yemen. The Houthis have stated that they will attack Israeli targets without considering this US-led naval coalition. The Houthis claim they are attacking ships in support of Hamas. Hamas militants killed at least 1,200 people in a terrorist attack on Israel on October 7 and took about 240 hostages, including children, women, and the elderly. Israel has launched air, sea, and ground attacks on Gaza in a call to eradicate Hamas. The United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. Gita Aryan, a senior journalist in the Persian section of Voice of America, is mainly focused on news related to foreign policy. She began her journalism career in 1987 by working in radio and joined Voice of America in 2004. Britain and Italy joined the US-led international operations to counter Houthi attacks. Austin stated that the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea require a 'decisive international response.' The Houthis are creating costs for Israel and shipping companies; an international alliance is being formed to ensure the security of the Red Sea. The US Secretary of Defense warned in Israel about the Houthi attacks on the Islamic Republic.