LONDON, England – The United Kingdom has strongly condemned the illegal and unwarranted attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea by Houthi militants, according to a statement by the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. James Kariuki, the UK ambassador to the UN Security Council, called on the Houthis to cease these attacks immediately. The UK Defense Secretary also emphasized that action would be taken to deter any threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.
The attacks by Houthi militants, which involve the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, and small boats, pose a direct threat to the freedom of navigation protected by international law, said ambassador Kariuki. These attacks not only jeopardize Yemen’s already dire humanitarian situation by driving up food prices but also pose a severe economic threat to global food security and supply lines.
Contrary to the Houthis’ claims, these attacks are indiscriminate and target shipping that has no connection to Israel. Ambassador Kariuki called for the immediate release of the MV Galaxy Leader and its crew, comprising nationals from countries including Bulgaria, Mexico, the Philippines, Romania, and Ukraine.
The UK has also expressed its concerns to Iran, stating that the country shares responsibility for preventing these attacks due to its longstanding support for the Houthis. The British government called on all parties in the region to exercise restraint and avoid escalating the situation. Ambassador Kariuki emphasized the impact of the attacks on civilians, who are already suffering the most through this crisis, and urged all parties to work towards stability and avoid further destabilization.
In response to these attacks, the US has designated a Houthi financial facilitator, backed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force in Iran. The Department of the Treasury took this action to combat Iranian illicit financial support to the Houthis and called on the international community to firmly stand against the destabilizing activities of the Houthis and their Iranian backers.
Amidst these developments, the Malaysian government has decided to impose sanctions on the Israeli-based shipping company ZIM. Malaysia has blocked and disallowed ZIM from docking at any Malaysian port, citing the ongoing Israeli actions that ignore humanitarian principles and violate international law against Palestinians.
Recognizing the impact of the Houthi attacks on global trade and commerce, the US has initiated Operation Prosperity Guardian, which calls on the Houthis to stop targeting international commerce. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III emphasized the importance of freedom of navigation and the threat posed by the Houthi attacks to world commerce. Between 10 and 15 percent of global shipping flows through the Red Sea, and these attacks have significant negative economic ramifications for nations worldwide and commercial shipping firms.
The disruption caused by the attacks could lead to suspended international shipping routes and services, resulting in increased costs for container ships, cruise ships, and petroleum products. The longer and costlier routes via the Cape of Good Hope pose implications for higher insurance premiums, logistics, and global supply chain management.
In response to these challenges, the Suez Canal Authority announced a 5-15 percent increase in transit fees for ships passing through the canal, effective from January 15, 2024.
As the international community grapples with these issues, efforts to ensure the safety and security of commercial shipping in the Red Sea and address the consequences of the Houthi attacks are paramount. The UK and its allies continue to pursue diplomatic routes to end this threat while emphasizing the importance of international law, freedom of navigation, and the need for all parties to exercise restraint to protect innocent civilians and global trade.
