A joint statement was issued today, Wednesday, by the US State Department, High Representative Josep Borrell on behalf of the European Union, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on behalf of NATO, and a group representing 44 allies and partner countries condemning the Houthi attacks and their threat to international navigation in the waters surrounding the Arabian Peninsula, especially the Red Sea.

The joint statement stressed that the numerous attacks emanating from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen, including the December 3 attacks against three commercial ships in the southern Red Sea connected to 14 countries, threaten international trade and maritime security.

The joint statement considered the Houthi seizure of the Galaxy Leader ship on November 19 and the detention of its 25 international crew - who are still unjustly detained - as horrific.

The statement added that such behavior also threatens the movement of food, fuel, humanitarian aid and other basic goods to destinations and populations around the world, stressing the need for all countries to refrain from facilitating or encouraging the Houthis, noting that there is no justification for these attacks that affected many countries outside the scope of the Houthis. The flags under which these ships sail.

The joint statement called on the Houthis to immediately release the crew and ship of the Galaxy Leader and stop additional attacks on commercial ships in the region's vital waterways.

In addition to the US State Department, High Representative Josep Borrell signed the joint statement on behalf of the European Union

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg on behalf of NATO, Australia, the Bahamas, Japan, Liberia, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the United States and Yemen.