Barran Press
On November 14, 2024, the French Senate approved a resolution condemning the destructive actions of the Houthi militia in the Red Sea, urging international action to protect maritime navigation and the environment in this vital region.
During a special session attended by Yemen's Ambassador to France, Riyadh Yasin, 322 senators voted in favor of the resolution, as reported by the Yemeni news agency Saba.
Senators emphasized that the Houthi group is exploiting the ongoing events in Gaza to threaten the security of the Red Sea, underlining the need to address these growing threats in the strategic waterway.
In response, Ambassador Yasin praised the decision, stating that Yemen faces significant dangers from Houthi attacks on commercial ships and oil tankers in the Red Sea, including mine and drone assaults.
He noted that these attacks not only pose a security threat to international navigation but also lead to widespread environmental pollution from oil spills, harming marine ecosystems and threatening aquatic life in the region.
Yasin further explained that the Houthis' actions disrupt the supply of goods, resulting in sharp increases in food and medical prices, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis faced by the Yemeni people.
He characterized the resolution as an important step in directing the international community to confront these threats and bolster efforts to support the legitimate Yemeni government in regaining control over all regions and ports.
The Yemeni diplomat called for support for the Yemeni government to achieve internal stability, secure international trade routes in the Red Sea, and mitigate the negative economic impacts on the Yemeni population.
This marks France's first move against the Houthis since they began military operations against commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
Since October, the Houthi group, which is globally designated as a terrorist organization, has continued attacks using rockets and drones against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden.
In response to Houthi aggression and to protect maritime traffic, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023 and has periodically conducted strikes against Houthi military targets.
According to the group, U.S. and British airstrikes against the Houthis on the ground have totaled around 560 since January 12, resulting in the deaths of 58 militants and injuries to 86 others.