US and its allies warn Houthi rebels over attacks on merchant ships in Red Sea

In view of the attacks by Houthi rebels on the Red Sea, America has adopted a tough stance. Twelve countries led by the US have jointly warned Yemen's Houthi rebels that if they do not stop attacks on Red Sea shipping vessels, they will have to face consequences.

"Our message is now clear: we call for an immediate end to these unlawful attacks and the release of the ships and crew unlawfully detained," the White House statement said.

The statement said that "If the Houthi rebels continue to threaten lives, the global economy and the flow of commerce in the region's vital waterways, they will have to bear responsibility for the consequences." This statement comes after several reports that President Joe Biden's administration is considering a direct attack on the rebels if the Houthi rebels continue their attacks.

Britain is also included among those who signed the statement. Britain also issued a warning of "direct action" against the Houthi rebels on Monday, joined by Australia, Canada, Germany and Japan. Bahrain was the only regional country which supported other countries by signing the statement. Let us tell you that Bahrain's relations with Iran, which supports the Houthis, are tense.

The Houthis say they are working in solidarity with the Palestinians by targeting ships affiliated with Israel in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. The US has sent an aircraft carrier, the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, to the region and previously announced a coalition of countries to secure navigation in the Red Sea. In fact, 12 percent of the world's trade moves through the Red Sea.

The US has deployed warships in the Red Sea to counter the Houthi rebels’ attacks on the merchant ships. Many international shipping companies have stopped using the shipping route in view of the attacks.