Other nations have joined the coalition with the United States to send a final warning to the Houthi militant faction in Yemen, which has attacked shipping in the Red Sea several dozen times since November 2023.
In addition to the USA, the co-signatories now include Australia, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, Norway, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom. Bahrain, one of America's closest allies in the Middle East, is the only nation in the region to have joined the declaration. The US 5th Fleet is stationed in Bahrain.
The coalition warned that the attacks were "illegal, unacceptable and deeply destabilising" and that the Houthi themselves were responsible for the consequences. Should they continue to attack ships on international maritime trade routes, they would now be held accountable.
USS Carney (DDG 64, Arleigh Burke-class) shot down several missiles and drones fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on 19 October 2023 in the Red Sea. Source: U.S. Navy
Attacks using drones, helicopters, small boats and missiles, including the first use of anti-ship ballistic missiles against merchant ships, are a direct threat to crews, freedom of navigation and the global economy. The Coalition's first call was for an immediate end to these illegal attacks and the release of the unlawfully detained ships and crews.
Unfortunately, several other affected countries were not present, including Egypt, which depends financially on shipping through the Suez Canal. Saudi Arabia, whose oil and cargo ports are located in the Red Sea, and China, which should have a major economic interest in one of the most important shipping routes, as the canal shortens the distances between the North Atlantic (USA and Europe) and the Middle East/Asia by more than 30 per cent.
In the sea of sand - a "desert ship" - the Iranian crude oil tanker "Iran Nesa" in the Suez Canal. Source: Wikimedia Commons
Differences of opinion in the UN Security Council
The UN Security Council met in New York earlier this year to discuss the Houthi threat, and differences of opinion quickly emerged. While the US and the UK called on the Houthi forces to cease their activities and urged Iran - the rebel group's foreign sponsor - to restrain its proxy forces in Yemen, the Russian representative blamed Israel for the Houthi attacks on shipping. What is happening in the Red Sea is a direct projection of the violence in the Gaza Strip, where Israel's bloody operation has been going on for three months, Russia's ambassador to the United Nations said, echoing the Houthi's political justification for the attacks on shipping. A ceasefire in the Gaza Strip would immediately solve the problems in the Red Sea, and he sharply criticised the Western "hotheads" for their efforts to fight the Houthi. As far as Russia knew, the so-called 'international maritime coalition' was in reality only US military vessels, whose justification under international law was seriously in question, the Russian ambassador said.
A strong response from the United Nations looks different. Only organised shipping associations, such as WCS, BIMCO and ICS, thanked the nations involved in a joint statement for their strong commitment and for defending an order based on internationally recognised rules.
Since December 2023, HMS DIAMOND (Type 45 destroyer, 152 metres) and the French frigate LANGUEDOC (Aquitaine class, 142 metres) have been deployed in the Red Sea alongside the U.S. Navy ships. The frigate VIRGINIO FASAN (Carlo Bergamini-class, 144 metres) is to take part in the task force for Italy.
Norway and the Netherlands intend to send liaison officers. Alongside Spain, Germany, as far as can be expected, has not yet decided what contribution it is willing or able to make.
Source: The Maritime Executive, Navy Lookout
English 
German
0 Kommentare