NEW YORK: G7 countries have stressed the importance of maritime security and the protection of navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait, calling on the Houthis in Yemen to immediately end attacks and threats against civilian shipping.
In a joint statement issued on September 22, G7 foreign ministers said the situation in Yemen poses a threat to regional stability and security, global energy security, and international maritime trade.
Foreign ministers from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States, along with the High Representative of the European Union, condemned continued Houthi attacks in Yemen and against Saudi Arabia, particularly those affecting civilians and civilian infrastructure.
The G7 called on the Houthis to immediately cease all military actions, threats and attacks against civilian shipping and to return to the political process in good faith. The statement also called on Iran to end its arming of and support for the Houthis.
The G7 warned that further escalation could disrupt international trade and contribute to global economic instability. The ministers stressed the importance of maintaining uninterrupted global supply chains, particularly for energy, fertilizer and food, noting the potential impact on economies and vulnerable populations in the region and beyond.
The G7 countries also reaffirmed their support for the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen and expressed continued support for UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg’s efforts toward a negotiated, inclusive and Yemeni-led political settlement.
Reported By: Mirza Maqbool Baig I New York
