In a significant international development, a coalition of over ten countries has issued a joint statement justifying the recent strikes on Yemen's Houthi forces as an act of 'legitimate self-defense'.
The coalition, formed to protect shipping in the Red Sea from Houthi attacks, includes nations such as Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
The statement, released by the White House, asserts that the joint military actions by the United States and the United Kingdom, supported by other coalition members, were in response to the Houthis' continued illegal and destabilizing attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea.
These strikes are seen as an exercise of the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense in accordance with the United Nations Charter.
The coalition's high-precision strikes aimed to undermine the Houthis' capacity to threaten global trade and the safety of international navigators along one of the world's most crucial waterways. The statement highlights the urgency of addressing over two dozen Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since mid-November, which pose a significant international challenge.
In their call for an immediate end to illegal attacks by the Houthis, the coalition members warned of accountability for those who continue to threaten lives, the global economy, and the free movement of goods in the region. Their goal remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea.
The statement emphasizes the coalition's commitment to protecting life and ensuring the free flow of trade in response to the constant threats in the region. It reflects a unified stance among the participating countries to maintain international trade security and freedom of navigation.
This development follows the U.S. and U.K. military's massive retaliatory strike against the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen. The operation involved Tomahawk missiles launched from warships and fighter jets, targeting over a dozen facilities used by the Houthis.
Both U.S. President Joe Biden and British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak have confirmed their countries' involvement in these targeted strikes, demonstrating a concerted international effort to counter Houthi aggression in Yemen.
