The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs condemned this Monday the attacks in the Red Sea claimed by Yemen’s Houthi rebels and guaranteed coordination between the European bloc and several partners to combat security threats.
“The European Union (EU) strongly condemns the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. We are coordinating with our partners to effectively combat these threats to peace and security,” said Josep Borrell in a message published on the social network Twitter).
The EU strongly condemns the Houthi attacks in #Red Sea.
The disruption of international shipping and maritime security is unacceptable and must stop.
We are coordinating with our partners to effectively counter these threats to peace and security.
– Josep Borrell Fontelles (@JosepBorrellF) December 18, 2023
The head of European diplomacy also stressed that “the disruption of international navigation and maritime security is unacceptable and must stop.”
Yemen’s Houthi Islamist rebels on Monday claimed responsibility for attacks in the Red Sea against two ships linked to Israel, including the “Swan Atlantic”, which belongs to a Norwegian company.
“Yemeni forces carried out a military operation against two ships linked to the Zionist entity using seaplanes,” the Iranian-backed rebel group said in a statement, identifying the first ship as “Swan Atlantic” and the second as “MSC Clara.” .
Hours earlier, British fuel company BP announced the suspension of all traffic in the Red Sea due to repeated attacks.
At the end of last week, the Danish company Maersk, the German Hapag-Lloyd, the French CMA CGM and the Italian-Swiss MSC announced that their ships would stop using the Red Sea until further notice, at least until today or until the step remains safe.
Following the conflict sparked by the October 7 attacks by the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in Israel, the Houthis have threatened to attack any ship they believe is sailing to or from Israel.
Yemeni rebels have increased attacks in recent weeks near the strategic Bab al-Mandeb Strait, which separates the Arabian Peninsula from Africa and through which 40% of world trade passes.
Source: TSF
