The US, UK and eight allies said on January 12 that their joint air strikes on Houthi rebel targets in Yemen were aimed at restoring “stability in the Red Sea”.
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| Recently, Houthi rebels in Yemen have continuously attacked and raided commercial ships with links to Israel moving through the Red Sea amid the escalating Israel-Hamas conflict. (Source: Getty Images) |
In a joint statement, the governments of the United States, Britain, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea said their aim was to reduce tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea.
At the same time, it affirmed its readiness to protect the free flow of trade in one of the world's most important waterways against threats.
The statement by 10 countries said that more than two dozen attacks on commercial ships by the Houthis since mid-November constituted an international challenge.
This statement demonstrates the countries' shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international trade and the protection of the lives of seafarers from unlawful and unjustified attacks.
On the same day, Britain affirmed that its response to Houthi attacks on international commercial vessels in the Red Sea was in accordance with international law.
The UK Government statement stressed: “Under international law, the UK is permitted to use force in circumstances where self-defence is the only feasible and necessary measure to respond proportionately to an actual or imminent armed attack.”
The statement also said the British Government would report to the United Nations General Assembly on its response to the tense situation in the Red Sea.
(according to Arab News Pakistan)
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