The international community's reactions to the US and UK bombings against the Houthis in Yemen
The United States and the United Kingdom launched strikes this morning against targets in Yemen linked to the Houthi militias. This was the first major act of retaliation since these Iranian-backed groups began harassing merchant ships in the Red Sea in October. Washington has warned that such measures will be repeated if hostile actions by Yemeni rebels continue. These were the international community's reactions to the American and British attacks:
USA, the UK and eight allied countries. Following the bombings, the US, the UK and eight allied countries – Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand and South Korea – released a joint statement reaffirming the intent of the attacks. The Houthis are “targeting” “continues to “de-escalate tensions” and “restore stability in the Red Sea.” “Today’s actions demonstrate a shared commitment to freedom of navigation, international trade and protecting the lives of seafarers from illegal and unjustified attacks,” the text continued.
China. Beijing has expressed concern over escalating tensions in the Red Sea following airstrikes by the US and Britain. Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning emphasized the importance of the Red Sea as a key international trade route for goods and energy. “China calls on all parties to maintain calm and show restraint to avoid further conflict,” Ning said.
Russia. The Kremlin has condemned the attacks on Yemen and said those actions were not covered by a U.N. Security Council resolution. In fact, Russia's Permanent Mission to the United Nations requested an urgent meeting of the UN Security Council this morning.
France. Paris has tacitly supported the US-led military action. In a statement, the State Department reiterated its “condemnation of the Houthis' attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea,” accepting “extreme responsibility for the regional escalation.”
Germany. Berlin has stressed its “political support” for the bombings in the USA and Great Britain. German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock has called on the Houthis from Malaysia to “immediately” stop their attacks in the Red Sea.
Netherlands. The Dutch government has confirmed the involvement of one of its military commanders in the operation launched by the United States and the United Kingdom against the Houthi rebels. Prime Minister Mark Rutte justified this with the “right to self-defense”.
Japan. Tokyo has joined countries justifying the bombings. “Japan condemns the Houthi rebels who continue to obstruct the right and freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and the waters around the Arabian Peninsula,” said Japanese government spokesman Yoshimasa Hayashi.
Saudi Arabia. Riyadh, which borders Yemen, called for “moderation” to “avoid escalation in the region” and assured that the situation “remains of grave concern.”
Türkiye. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said the attacks were “disproportionate” and turned the Red Sea into a “sea of blood.” Turkey is the NATO member country most critical of Israel's military offensive in Gaza.
Iran. Iran's foreign ministry condemned the attacks, calling them an “arbitrary action” and a “violation” of international law.
Hezbollah and Hamas. The Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) and the Lebanese Shiite militia party Hezbollah condemned the attacks. “The American-British attack on Yemeni army positions [hutí] “Staying close to Gaza is an aggression and a provocation for the entire nation and indicates the decision to expand the conflict area outside Gaza (…) and this will have repercussions,” a Hamas leader said , Sami Abu. Zuhri, in a statement. Hezbollah has expressed solidarity with the “honorable” Yemeni people and accused the United States of being a “full partner” in the “massacres” committed by Israel in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.