European framework
Baerbock: EU is examining contribution to “stabilization in the Red Sea”
January 12, 2024, 11:35 a.m
The USA shells several Houthi rebel positions. There is concern in Saudi Arabia that there will be an escalation, China is calling for restraint and Russia is condemning the attacks. Now the Federal Foreign Minister comments on the military strike.
According to Federal Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock, the federal government stands behind the military strike by the USA, Great Britain and other allies against the Houthi rebels in Yemen. “The reaction has our political support,” said the Green politician after a meeting with Malaysia’s Foreign Minister Mohamad Hasan in the capital Kuala Lumpur.
The USA and other partners took targeted, limited military action against the Houthi infrastructure used for attacks on shipping in the Red Sea – “in accordance with the individual and collective right to self-defense in the Charter of the United Nations,” added the Federal Foreign Minister.
When asked how the federal government wanted to participate in securing shipping in the Red Sea and when a decision would be made, Baerbock said that the European Union (EU) is currently examining at high speed “how we ourselves can strengthen stabilization in the Red Sea “can contribute to this stabilization”. This must be decided jointly within the European framework.
Houthis must stop the attacks
Baerbock criticized the Houthis for endangering the safety of civilian international shipping through their attacks, threatening global trade and recklessly endangering human lives. “You are thereby contributing to the destabilization of an already tense regional situation.” The Foreign Minister demanded that the Houthis “must stop these attacks immediately.”
The USA and Great Britain attacked Houthi positions on Friday night with the support of the Netherlands, Canada and Bahrain. Since the Gaza war broke out between Israel and the Islamist Hamas, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked Israel and ships with alleged Israeli connections in the Red Sea.