G7 Condemns Houthi Attacks, Demands Halt to Civilian Ship Targeting

The Group of Seven (G7) nations has called on Iran to cease its arming and support of the Houthi militia in Yemen, warning that continued assistance risks escalating the conflict and threatening international trade and global economic stability.

In a joint statement issued following a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, the foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the United States condemned Iran's "reprehensible actions," describing them as a dangerous pattern of escalation that could worsen the conflict and violate UN Security Council resolutions.

The ministers vehemently denounced the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia, emphasizing that the situation in Yemen poses an unacceptable threat to regional security and stability, with significant implications for global energy security.

The statement urged the Houthi militia to immediately cease all military operations, threats, and attacks targeting civilian vessels, and called for the group to return to the political process in good faith.

The G7's stance comes amid growing international warnings about the repercussions of Houthi attacks on maritime navigation, the risks they pose to international trade, and energy supplies. The militia has faced repeated condemnations from the UN and several countries, with calls for an end to ship targeting and engagement in a political path to resolve the conflict.

Concurrently, the humanitarian consequences of renewed fighting in Yemen are worsening. UN estimates indicate tens of thousands have been displaced since early September, with over two thousand Yemenis crossing into Djibouti amidst a fuel crisis hindering further civilian departures from conflict zones.