USAhe United Kingdom and eight other countries justified this Thursday that the military action launched against rebel targets Houthis in Yemen demonstrates the joint commitment to freedom of navigation.
In a joint statement, these ten nations stressed that this action has also taken place in defense of international trade and those who transit through the waters of the Red Seathrough which almost 15% of global maritime trade circulates.
LOOK HERE: Biden confirms joint US-UK military action against Houthis in Yemen
The American president, Joe Bidenhad announced today that under his leadership the US military forces, along with the United Kingdom and the support of Australia, Bahrain, Canada and the Netherlandsthey carried out successful attacks against several targets in Yemen used by the Houthi rebels.
In the joint statement, these six nations joined Denmark, Germany, New Zealand and South Korea to emphasize that this action is framed within the individual and collective right to self-defense.
“More than two dozen Houthi attacks on commercial ships since mid-November constitute an international challenge“, they indicated in that argument, where they pointed out that their response sought to degrade the capacity of the Houthis for “threaten global trade”.
An Administration official added in a call with the press that the US hopes that more statements of support for the military action undertaken will arrive this Thursday night or tomorrow.
Those first ten signatory countries pointed out that their objective continues to be “reduce tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea”.
“But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and protect the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical shipping lanes in the face of continuing threats.“, they maintained.
On a separate note, the United States Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austinspecified that among the sites attacked this Thursday there are enclaves linked to unmanned drones, ballistic and cruise missiles, coastal radars and aerial surveillance equipment of the Houthis.
In support of the Palestinians Gaza Stripthe Shiite Houthi rebels, backed by Iranhave been attacking vessels in the Red Sea since November 19 that they say are related to Israel.
MORE INFORMATION: Houthis attack US and UK warships in Red Sea in response to bombing in Yemen
The last Houthi attack, which caused no damage, took place this Thursday. Those rebels launched a ballistic missile with the aim of hitting the shipping lanes of the Gulf of Adena strategic route for the transportation of oil from the Persian Gulf.
The Secretary of Defense pointed out that the action taken against him by that coalition of countries “committed to defending the rules-based international order“demonstrated that shared commitment to defending American and international vessels”who exercise navigation rights and freedoms against illegal and unjustifiable attacks”.
The tension in the area has caused the main shipping companies worldwide to continue adjusting their routes to avoid transiting through this sea route, through which 8% of the world’s grain trade, 12% of the oil trade and 8% of the world trade in liquefied natural gas.
