A group of 12 nations, including Belgium, on Wednesday called on Yemen's Houthi rebels to immediately cease their "illegal attacks" on vessels in the Red Sea, which have caused shipping companies to avoid the waterway.
“Let our message now be clear: we call for the immediate end of these illegal attacks and release of unlawfully detained vessels and crews,” the countries said in a joint declaration.
“The Houthis will be held accountable if they continue to threaten lives, the global economy and the freedom of trade in the region’s essential waterways,” they added.
The declaration was signed by Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Germany, Italy, Japan, the Netherlands, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
It comes as an increasing number of shipping companies decide to avoid passing through the Red Sea due to the attacks by the Houthi rebels.
About 18 carriers have opted to reroute their vessels around South Africa to reduce the risk of assaults, Arsenio Dominguez, Head of the International Maritime Organisation, said on Wednesday at the UN headquarters in New York.
