G7 calls on Houthi militia to stop its maritime attacks and affirms its commitment to ensuring freedom of navigation

The Group of Seven ( G7 ) called on the Houthi militia to stop naval attacks that increase the risks of spreading the conflict and destabilizing the region, renewing its commitment to securing freedom of navigation and protecting sea lanes.

The group's defense ministers said in a joint statement issued after their meeting in the Italian city of Naples, on October 18-20, "We call on the Houthis to stop their escalatory measures that increase regional instability."

The statement condemned the attacks launched by the Houthis on commercial ships passing through international shipping routes in the region, including the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab Strait and the Gulf of Aden.

The Joint Declaration of the Ministers' Meeting on Defence, the first in #G7 history, is available on the #G7Italy website 👇 https://t.co/SlSdI7D7Sx pic.twitter.com/lTYglRmPy2

— G7 Italy (@G7) October 19, 2024

The defense ministers affirmed their commitment to maintaining freedom of navigation, protecting sea lanes, and defending sailors and ships from Houthi attacks in the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, and the Gulf of Aden, in line with Security Council Resolution 2722.

The statement renewed the call to the Houthi group to immediately release the commercial ship "Galaxy Leader" and its crew, who have been detained by the group for nearly a year.

While the statement welcomed the significant contributions made by the G7 to maritime security initiatives in the region, it stressed the importance of preventing conflict from spreading throughout the region.

Since last November, the Iran-backed Houthi militia has been launching drone and missile attacks on cargo ships sailing in the Red Sea, Bab al-Mandab and the Gulf of Aden off the coast of Yemen, claiming that this is in support of Gaza, which has been subjected to a devastating Israeli war since October 7. These attacks have negatively affected shipping, trade and global supply chains.

As a result, the United States formed a military coalition led by it, and the European Union formed a naval mission for the same purpose, which it said was "defensive" and aimed at protecting maritime navigation in the Red Sea, the Gulf of Aden and the surrounding waters.