Al Jazeera's correspondent reported that the United Nations Security Council is slated to vote on a US-drafted resolution condemning the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels, while the United States has declared it thwarted a significant attack by the Houthis in the Red Sea.
The correspondent clarified that the draft resolution demands an immediate cessation of all Houthi attacks that disrupt global trade and points to the right of member states to defend their ships from such attacks, urging restraint to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea.
The United States, along with 11 European and Asian countries, issued a joint statement warning the Houthis of the consequences should their attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea persist.
The US Department of State mentioned the statement was released by the governments of the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
According to the statement, "Given the ongoing attacks, including the significant escalation over the past week targeting commercial ships with missiles, boats, and attempted hijackings, we caution the Houthis against launching more attacks."
The statement continued, "The Houthis' continuing assaults in the Red Sea are illegal, unacceptable, and greatly destabilize the region."
Additionally, the statement highlighted that "the attacks on ships, including commercial ones, using drones, small boats, and missiles, including the first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against these vessels, represent a direct threat to freedom of navigation, which is the cornerstone of global trade through one of the world's most vital waterways."
Houthi Attack
The twelve countries in their statement sent a clear message: "We call for the immediate cessation of these illegal attacks and the release of unlawfully detained ships and their crews. The Houthis will be held responsible for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of trade through the region's vital waterways."
The statement concluded with a commitment to the rules-based international order, and a resolve to hold malign actors accountable for the unlawful seizures and attacks.
This declaration comes in tandem with an attack by the Houthis, where the US Central Command announced that forces from the US and the UK intercepted 21 drones and missiles on Tuesday directed towards international maritime routes in the southern Red Sea.
The US Central Command also noted that there have been no reports of physical or human damage, stating this as the 26th attack by the Houthis on commercial shipping lines in the Red Sea since November 19.
Furthermore, Central Command mentioned the combined US and UK forces downed 18 drones, as well as anti-ship cruise and ballistic missiles.
The Houthis have intensified their attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea as a protest against the Israeli war in Gaza.
Several shipping companies have halted their operations in the Red Sea and rerouted them via the Cape of Good Hope around Africa instead.
America announced the formation of a multinational coalition, involving several countries conducting joint patrols south of the Red Sea and in the Gulf of Aden, as part of what is referred to as Operation Sentinel to address threats to maritime transport ships.
The Houthis have vowed to continue their attacks until Israel halts its aggression on the Gaza Strip and warned that they will target US naval ships if the group itself is targeted.
