BRUSSELS/DUBAI: Gulf and Arab countries have condemned the Houthi attack on a Saudi ship while it was sailing in the Red Sea, saying the act was a flagrant violation of international laws on the freedom of navigation and a direct threat to regional security and stability of the region.
The Palestinian foreign affairs ministry, in a statement, emphasized the need for an “immediate halt to these aggressions, which undermine the safety of maritime navigation, international trade, and the smooth flow of energy supplies.”
Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Qatar and the UAE also issued separate statements expressing their solidarity with Saudi Arabia and whatever steps the Kingdom will take to protect its security, stability and interests.
The League of Arab States also reaffirmed its categorical rejection of the Houthi attack on a Saudi vessel in the Red Sea, as well as the Iranian attacks targeting the Gulf states and Jordan, stressing that such actions constitute a violation of international law and a threat to maritime security and regional stability, Asharq Al-Awsat reported quoting Saudi Press Agency.
In a statement, the Arab League’s official spokesperson welcomed the position expressed by the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), emphasizing the importance of Arab solidarity in confronting threats targeting the security of Arab states and the safety of maritime shipping lanes.
The spokesperson stressed the need for the immediate cessation of all actions threatening international navigation in the Red Sea and the Strait of Hormuz, calling on Iran to cease its violations and return to the negotiating process as the only path toward a comprehensive and sustainable settlement.
The statement warned that continued escalation would further complicate the crisis and undermine efforts to promote security and stability in the region.
Meanwhile, the European Union’s top diplomat demanded on Thursday that the Houthis “cease” attacks on ships in the Red Sea, after a Saudi vessel was hit by the Iran-backed militants.
“The attack on an oil tanker in the Red Sea is unacceptable, illegal and further inflames an already volatile situation in the region,” EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said in a statement.
“The Houthis must cease all actions that endanger international shipping and the lives of seafarers,” she added.
The attack on Saudi shipping in the Red Sea brought the war roiling the Middle East to a new front and sent oil prices surging.
Earlier this week, the Houthis said they had struck two Saudi oil tankers after declaring a blockade of Saudi ports.
Kallas said an EU naval mission deployed in the Red Sea to help ships pass through the vital waterway “remains firmly committed to protecting freedom of navigation for all.”
European counties also individually condemned the Houthis’ actions.
Britain strongly condemned the strikes on Saudi shipping.
“These reckless actions endanger lives, risk environmental catastrophe and regional stability, in serious violation of international law,” the Foreign Office said. “We stand in solidarity with Saudi Arabia and urge the Houthis to stop.”
A spokesperson for the French foreign ministry said the “irresponsible strikes” marked a major escalation.
Germany said it was “very worried” that the oil tanker attacks risked escalation of the conflict in the region.
The situation in the Middle East is “clearly moving in the wrong direction,” Defense Minister Boris Pistorius said.
