US will not tolerate hostile actors to imperil freedom of navigation - Biden

The US and UK military forces launched airstrikes in parts of Yemen used by the Houthis to “endanger freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most vital waterways,” US President Joe Biden said.

PHOTO: Commercial vessels passing through the Suez Canal. Getty Images

“These strikes are in direct response to unprecedented Houthi attacks against international maritime vessels in the Red Sea—including the use of anti-ship ballistic missiles for the first time in history,” Biden said in a statement.

Last month, the US and its allies launched Operation Prosperity Guardian (OPG) to protect the critical waterway and counter-attacks on international shipping in the Red Sea. 

“Today’s defensive action follows this extensive diplomatic [OPG] campaign and Houthi rebels’ escalating attacks against commercial vessels,” Biden said. “I will not hesitate to direct further measures to protect our people and the free flow of international commerce as necessary,” he added.

Also today, a coalition of 10 countries jointly condemned the ‘illegal’ Houthi attacks in a statement. “Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea; but let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives,” the statement read.

The joint statement was issued by the Governments of Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Korea, the UK, and the US.

Red Sea spillover

Commercial vessels transiting through the Suez Canal and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait - critical waterways to conduct global trade – have been targeted by drone attacks by the Yemeni militant group in response to Israel’s refusal of a ceasefire in Gaza.

These attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea region have led to a diversion of more than 2,000 vessels via the Cape of Good Hope, causing weeks of delay in shipping times.

By Aparupa Mazumder 

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