German Foreign Ministry: Houthi Attacks Threaten International Interests, Especially Egypt

On November 16, 2024, the spokesperson for the German Foreign Ministry for the Middle East and North Africa, Annika Klazen Idris, expressed concern over Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. These attacks, classified internationally as terrorism, pose significant risks to international shipping and trade routes.

In an interview with "Voice of the Arabs," Klazen emphasized that the Iranian-backed Houthi group's actions violate international law and threaten global shipping lanes. She noted that these assaults endanger not only German interests but also those of other nations, particularly Egypt, due to the vital role of the Suez Canal in global trade.

Since October, the Houthis have intensified their missile and drone strikes against commercial shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In response to these threats and to safeguard maritime navigation, the United States formed a multinational coalition in December 2023. The U.S. military has occasionally conducted strikes against Houthi military targets.

According to reports, U.S. and British forces have carried out approximately 560 airstrikes against the Houthis since January 12, resulting in 58 deaths and 86 injuries among Houthi fighters, as acknowledged by the group itself.