Blinken Issues Warning to Houthis regarding Red Sea Attacks
By Iain Marlow (Bloomberg) US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stated that Houthi militants in Yemen need to be aware of the "consequences" they will face for their ongoing attacks on ships in the Red Sea, despite a caution against military action by a US-led coalition (Operation Prosperity Guardian).
"We have had 40 countries come together to express that the actions of the Houthis must cease", Blinken informed reporters on Monday in Saudi Arabia, following a meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and prior to heading to Tel Aviv. "We have other countries that have made it clear that if these actions persist, there must be repercussions."
The top US diplomat, who is on his fourth trip through the Middle East since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7th, has visited Turkey, Greece, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates in rapid succession to discuss efforts to prevent a regional conflict, safeguard Palestinian civilians, and obtain Arab support for a post-conflict government in Gaza.
However, tensions are also mounting in the Red Sea, the gateway to the Suez Canal, which is critical to global trade. The Houthis have attacked commercial ships in response to Israel's war in Gaza.
Over the weekend, the number of transits through the canal reached its lowest point since the Ever Given container ship blocked the waterway in 2021, according to Inchcape Shipping Services. This disruption in global trade has had a significant impact.
"These attacks are having a tangible impact on the costs that people must pay for food, medicine, and energy. Ships must be redirected to other destinations. Insurance rates rise," Blinken stated. "And the fundamental principle of freedom of navigation is at stake. Thus, the international community has a genuine interest in upholding this principle."
The US-led coalition, which has conducted patrols and intercepted missiles in the Red Sea, has already encountered opposition from one partner over its prior warning to the Houthis, which resembles Blinken's warning.
Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, speaking alongside Blinken on Sunday evening, rejected a military response, cautioning that it would only escalate regional tensions and perpetuate an endless cycle of violence.
"We do not view military action as a solution," stated Al Thani.
The comments from the Qatari leader, which include calls for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict, underscore the challenging balancing act faced by Blinken.
The Biden administration is attempting to avoid a wider regional conflict that could spiral out of control and further destabilize the region, but it believes that US forces, including the two aircraft carrier strike groups deployed to the region, must respond to Iran's proxy groups, which have not only attacked commercial ships but also US forces in Iraq and Syria.
Tim Lenderking, the Biden administration's special envoy for Yemen, joined Blinken's meetings with Emirati President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in the UAE on Monday. According to a statement, Blinken "emphasized the importance of preventing further escalation of the conflict."
Blinken's visit to the region also coincides with rising tensions between Israel and Iran-backed Hezbollah militants in neighboring Lebanon. Hamas blamed Israel for the assassination of a senior official in Beirut last week, and in response, Hezbollah launched a series of rockets into northern Israel.
The Israel Defense Forces retaliated by carrying out cross-border attacks into Lebanon, resulting in the death of a Hezbollah commander.
"It is clearly not in the interest of anyone - Israel, Lebanon, or even Hezbollah - to witness an escalation of this situation and the outbreak of an actual conflict," Blinken remarked.
By Iain Marlow © 2024 Bloomberg L.P.