Singapore has joined forces with 12 other countries to condemn the ongoing attacks by Houthi militants on commercial ships in the Red Sea.
In a joint statement issued through the White House’s briefing room on Jan 3, the 13 countries called for an immediate end to these attacks, which they described as “illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising.”
The statement emphasized that there is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels.
“There is no lawful justification for intentionally targeting civilian shipping and naval vessels,” the statement said.
The attacks, which include the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles, pose a threat to the freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical waterways. Nearly 15 percent of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea, making it a vital entry point to the Suez Canal.
“These attacks threaten innocent lives from all over the world and constitute a significant international problem that demands collective action”, the statement added.
The attacks, which began in November, have forced major shipping companies to reroute their ships around South Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, resulting in increased costs, delivery delays, and disruptions to the movement of essential supplies such as food, fuel, and humanitarian assistance.
The joint statement called for the immediate cessation of these illegal attacks and the release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. It warned that the Houthi militants will bear the responsibility for the consequences if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.
“Let our message now be clear: We call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews. The Houthis will bear the responsibility of the consequences should they continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and free flow of commerce in the region’s critical waterways.”
We remain committed to the international rules-based order and are determined to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks.
Joint Statement White House
In addition to the Singapore, the statement was also signed by the United States, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and Britain.
This condemnation comes shortly after members of the United Nations Security Council called for a halt to the Houthi attacks during its first formal meeting of the year on Jan 3.
It is believed that these attacks are an attempt by the Houthi militants to pressure Israel into stopping its ongoing war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
On Dec 31, the militants attempted to board the Singapore-flagged Maersk Hangzhou, a container ship owned and operated by Denmark. In response, US forces sunk three ships and killed ten of the Iran-backed militants, leading Maersk to pause all sailing through the Red Sea for 48 hours after the attack.
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