Barran Press
On Tuesday, November 26, 2024, the Group of Seven (G7) industrialized nations issued a warning regarding the “negative” consequences of Houthi attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea, which are classified as terrorism by the international community, for ongoing peace efforts in Yemen.
In a joint statement released after their meeting in Fujiyoshida, the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the United States, along with the European Union's High Representative, expressed their deep concern over the implications of the crisis in the Red Sea on Yemen's peace process.
The statement condemned the Houthi assaults on commercial shipping, declaring them a "flagrant violation of international law." It emphasized the urgent need for these attacks to cease, citing that they have resulted in the deaths of innocent sailors and continue to jeopardize the lives and safety of crews while posing severe environmental risks to the region and its coastal nations.
The G7 ministers called on the Houthis to immediately release the "Galaxy Leader" ship and its crew, who have been held for over a year, reiterating the right of nations to defend their vessels in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2722 of 2024 and international law.
They praised the efforts of the U.S.-led "Guardian of Prosperity" coalition in "protecting vital maritime corridors" and commended the "successful intervention" of the European mission "Aspide" and its partners in averting an imminent environmental disaster caused by the oil tanker "Sunion," which was attacked by the Houthis.
The statement also condemned the ongoing detention of UN staff, NGOs, civil society members, and diplomats by the Houthis in Yemen renewing calls for the group to swiftly release these individuals and respect international humanitarian law to ensure the safety of humanitarian workers.
The G7 urged all parties in the Yemen conflict, particularly the Houthis, to resume negotiations responsibly and constructively, in line with the understanding facilitated by the United Nations reached in December 2023.
Since October, the Houthis have launched missile and drone attacks against commercial shipping in the Red Sea, Arabian Sea, and Gulf of Aden, leading to increased marine insurance costs and prompting many international shipping companies to opt for significantly longer routes around the southern tip of Africa.
In response to the Houthi threat, the U.S.-led "Guardian of Prosperity" coalition began airstrikes against Houthi positions in January 2024, as the group expanded its operations to target vessels associated with Washington and London.