14 nations warn Houthis vs Red Sea attacks

MANILA, Philippines — Fourteen nations led by the United States warned against further attacks in the Red Sea and called for the release of vessels and crews.

In a joint statement, the governments of the US, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea and the United Kingdom said “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.”

They called the ongoing attacks in the Red Sea “illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilizing.”

Nearly 15 percent of global seaborne trade passes through the Red Sea, including eight percent of global grain trade, 12 percent of seaborne-traded oil and eight percent of the world’s liquefied natural gas trade.

“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 countries said.

The continuing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea are becoming an increasing threat to global trade and the stability of the entire region as the intense fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza continues.

The International Maritime Organization said recent information it received showed that Houthis were not confining their attacks to shipping linked to Israel.

A significant number of companies are already rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce their risks, representing an additional 10 days to journeys on average, negatively impacting international trade and costs of freight.

Philippine hostages safe

The 17 Filipino seafarers taken hostage by the Yemen-based rebel group Houthi are safe, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said yesterday.

“We can verify that they are alright,” DFA Undersecretary Eduardo Jose de Vega said in a text message to The STAR.

“Our Honorary Consul in Yemen was able to visit them on the ship and ascertain their condition,” he said.