Targets Hit By US And Its Allies Intended To De-Escalate Tensions In Red Sea

The United States, the United Kingdom, and eight other allies said Friday that their coordinated air strikes on rebel targets in Yemen were intended to restore stability in the Red Sea.

“Our aim remains to de-escalate tensions and restore stability in the Red Sea”, the governments of the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and South Korea said in a joint statement.

“But let our message be clear: we will not hesitate to defend lives and ensure the free flow of commerce in one of the world’s most critical waterways in the face of continued threats”, the statement reads.

Following weeks of attacks on Red Sea vessels by Iran-backed Houthi troops working in cooperation with Hamas, the strikes came as a surprise.

The ten countries announced in a statement that the precision strikes were intended to disrupt and degrade the capabilities the Houthis use to threaten global trade and the lives of international mariners.

“The Houthis’ more than a dozen attacks on commercial ships since mid-November have posed an international challenge”, the statement continued.

“Today’s action demonstrated a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international commerce, and defending the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks”, the statement said.

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