African Union says Houthi attacks in the Red Sea pose regional threat

Addis Ababa (ANTARA) - The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned attacks claimed by the Yemeni Houthi group on a commercial oil tanker in the Red Sea, warning that such actions constitute a dangerous escalation with serious implications for regional peace and security.

In a statement on Thursday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reiterated the AU’s “firm support for the security, sovereignty and stability” of the country.

Youssouf stressed that attacks on commercial vessels and any attempt to obstruct the freedom of maritime traffic “constitute a serious threat to international maritime security and the stability of one of the world’s most strategic waterways.”

Underlining that freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial shipping must be fully respected in accordance with international law, he affirmed that the security of maritime routes in the Red Sea is of essential strategic importance to Africa.

“Any disruption to commercial shipping risks damaging regional maritime connectivity, global supply chains, energy security, as well as the economic interests of many African countries whose trade depends on safe, secure and uninterrupted access to these sea lanes,” Youssouf said.

He called on the Houthi group to “immediately cease all attacks on commercial vessels, refrain from any action that could further exacerbate tensions, and fully respect international law governing maritime navigation.”

On Thursday, the Yemeni Houthi group said it had carried out a military operation targeting two Saudi Arabian oil tankers in the Red Sea, claiming the vessels had violated maritime restrictions recently announced by the group.

The Houthis said the vessels were targeted for breaching the embargo imposed by their armed forces on ships docking at Saudi Arabian ports.