Washington says 20 nations signed up for maritime force to protect key shipping strait, but has only named 12. Some states keep distance to avoid being targeted by Yemen's Houthi group. President Joe Biden hoped to present a firm international response to Yemen's Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping by launching a new maritime force. Still, a week after its launch, many allies don't want to be associated with it, publicly or at all. Two of America's European allies- Italy and Spain- who were listed as contributors to Operation Prosperity Guardian — issued statements distancing themselves from the maritime force. The Pentagon says the force is a defensive coalition of more than 20 nations to ensure billions of dollars worth of commerce can flow freely through a vital shipping chokepoint in Red Sea waters off Yemen. Houthis have said the U.S.-led coalition will not stop their attacks on Israeli-linked ships.
The Houthi group has denied any connection with Iran regarding ongoing military operations in the Red Sea against Israeli ships amid accusations of Tehran assisting the Houthis in carrying out these attacks. The Houthi spokesperson, Mohammed Abdulsalam, stated that there is no link between Tehran and their operations in the Red Sea. He stated that the decision taken is a Yemeni one, stemming from a "religious, humanitarian, and ethical motive" to support the Palestinian people. Abdulsalam explained that the United States failed to form a naval alliance to protect Israeli ships in the Red Sea, affirming that all vessels in the Red Sea are safe, except for Israeli ships or those associated with Israel.
The United States on Thursday sanctioned an individual and three currency exchange houses that it accused of facilitating the flow of Iranian financial assistance to the Yemeni movement.The exchange houses are based in Turkey and Yemen, the U.S. Treasury said in a statement.This is one of the U.S. responses to Houthi attacks on shipping lanes in the Red Sea. The exchange houses are based in Turkey and Yemen, the U.S. Treasury said in a statement. Treasury Undersecretary Brian Nelson said in the statement, "Today's action underscores our resolve to restrict the illicit flow of funds to the Houthis, who continue to conduct dangerous attacks on international shipping and risk further destabilizing the region." Last week, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al Houthi said the group would strike U.S. ships should America or its allies launch attacks on Yemen.
The United Nations on Thursday said the human rights situation in the occupied West Bank was rapidly deteriorating and urged Israel to "end unlawful killings" against the Palestinian population. A report released Thursday demanded an immediate end to the use of military weapons and means during law enforcement operations, an end to arbitrary detention and ill-treatment of Palestinians, and the lifting of discriminatory movement restrictions. Israel launched aerial bombardment and a siege followed by a ground invasion. The campaign has killed at least 21,110 people, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's health ministry.
