US warns Houthis to stop attacking Red Sea ships

Yemen’s Houthi rebels have carried out at least 23 attacks in response to the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza since December 19. A senior official in the administration of US President Joe Biden condemned the attacks, stressing that the patience of the US and its allies was running out.

The amphibious assault ship USS Carter Hall and the amphibious assault ship USS Bataan transit the Bab al-Mandeb Strait on August 9, 2023. Photo: AP

The joint statement was signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. In addition, on Wednesday, the United States called on the United Nations Security Council to take action against the Houthi group.

“Let our message now be clear: We call for an immediate end to these unlawful attacks and the release of the unlawfully detained vessels and crew. The Houthis will be held accountable for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and the free flow of trade in the region’s vital waterways,” the countries said.

For weeks, the Houthis have claimed to have attacked ships in the Red Sea that they believe are linked to Israel or headed to Israeli ports. They say their attacks are aimed at increasing pressure to end Israel’s air and ground assault on the Gaza Strip.

However, the link to the ships targeted in the militant attacks has become increasingly tenuous as the attacks have continued.

The US and its allies have established Operation Prosperous Guardian to protect shipping, and US, French and British warships are currently patrolling the area. On Sunday, US helicopters opened fire on Houthi rebels after they attacked a cargo ship in the Red Sea.

Last week, Mr Biden ordered the US military to carry out airstrikes against militant groups in the Middle East, including Kataib Hezbollah, after three US service members were wounded in a drone strike in northern Iraq.

Mai Anh (according to AP)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/my-va-cac-dong-minh-ra-toi-hau-thu-buoc-houthi-ngung-tan-cong-tau-tren-bien-do-post279659.html