Organizations denounce the “unacceptable situation” of attacks by a Yemeni group against ships in the Red Sea.
Leading shipping industry groups have called for action to end Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea after a second ship sank.
The organizations condemned the incidents as a violation of freedom of navigation and said in a joint statement Wednesday that they target “innocent sailors.”
“This is an unacceptable situation and these attacks must stop now,” the statement read. statement from groups such as the World Shipping Council, European Community Shipowners’ Associations and the Asian Shipowners’ Association.
“We call on states with influence in the region to protect our innocent sailors and for a rapid de-escalation of the situation in the Red Sea. »
from Yemen Houthi armed group has launched attacks on the region’s sea lanes since November in what it says is an effort to support the Palestinians and pressure Israel to end its war on Gaza.
In response, the United States and its allies attacked Houthi targets in Yemen since January.
The Houthis have, however, pledged to continue targeting the ships if Israel continues its war on Gaza. More than 37,000 people have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza since October 7, according to Palestinian authorities.
The second ship sinks
United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said On Tuesday, the Tutor, a Greek ship targeted by the Houthis last week, appeared to have sunk.
The missing crew member aboard the ship “appears certain to have been killed” in the June 12 attack, according to maritime groups.
“It is deplorable that innocent sailors are attacked while simply doing their job, vital work that keeps the world warm, fed and clothed,” the statement said.
The Houthis have launched dozens of military operations against ships since November, using drones, missiles and boats loaded with explosives. The group initially said it would target ships linked to Israel, but later expanded that approach to ships it said were linked to the United States and some allies.
Although most attacks did not result in deaths, an assault on a Barbados-flagged ship killed three sailors in March.
Another attack on a Ukrainian ship last week set the ship on fire and severely injured a crew member.
In their statement, the shipping industry groups also called for the release of crew members of the Galaxy Leader, a cargo ship seized by the Houthis in November.
