US-UK Serang Houthi In Yemen, China Emphasizes Stability Of The Red Sea

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China on Friday (12/1/2023). (ANTARA/Desca Lidya Natalia)

JAKARTA - The Chinese government responded to the attacks of the United States (US) and Britain on the Houthi group in Yemen by mentioning that the Red Sea needed stability so that related parties should have been able to exercise restraint.

"China calls on relevant parties to play a constructive and responsible role in keeping the Red Sea peaceful and stable, in the common interest of the international community," said Foreign Ministry spokesman Mao Ning when delivering a statement to the media in Beijing, China.

The US and Britain launched attacks on several cities in Yemen deemed affiliated with the Houthi group on Friday (12/1) morning. The attack was carried out in response to the Houthi Group in Yemen targeting civilian ships bound for Israel in the Red Sea.

"China is concerned about the increasing tensions in the Red Sea and calls on related parties to be calm and refrain from preventing the escalation of the conflict. The Red Sea is an important route for global distribution of goods and energy," added Mao Ning.

Mao Nng said China also believes in its importance to ensure the security of international sea routes.

"We don't want tensions in the Red Sea to escalate because it will not have a good impact on the world economy and trade," said Mao Ning.

Currently, according to Mao Ning, the most important thing to do is to defuse the situation in the Red Sea and keep international shipping routes safe.

"We are ready to work with various parties to defuse the situation and keep international shipping routes safe," said Mao Ning.

A number of US and British warplanes launched airstrikes on Yemen's capital Sana'a, as well as the governorship areas of Al Hudaydah, Sa'ada, and Dhamar.

The onslaught of the US and UK hit several important Houthis such as Al Dailami Air Base in the capital Sana'a, Hodeidah International Airport area, military headquarters in Saada, Taiz International Airport area and its surroundings in southern Yemen, to airports in Abs city.

The Houthis control much of Yemen, including occupied the capital Sana'a since 2014 when civil war broke out in the country.

US President Joe Biden confirmed the onslaught of the US-British to Yemen was an ultimatum for the Houthi attack on the Red Sea. British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also said his military forces had succeeded in attacking a number of Houthi targets in Yemen.

The US and British attacks came hours after the leader of the Houthi group in Yemen, Abdul-Malik al-Houthi, warned that anyone attacking his country would face serious consequences.

Upon the attack, Yemeni troops prepare to attack US and British ships in the Red Sea.

Yemen's armed forces will retaliate with tougher attacks on US and British ships in the Red Sea, which could trigger fierce wars in the Red Sea and target bases and bases of the American and British military... and what will happen will be even more devastating, "said Houthi leader Ali al-Qahoum.

The Houthis have launched 27 attacks on international shipping since November 19, 2023. They targeted ships south of the Red Sea and warned they would attack all ships bound for Israel.

They also said the attack was intended to support Palestinians facing Israel's "aggression and siege" in Gaza.

The Red Sea is one of the most frequently used sea routes in the world to deliver oil and fuel.

Last month, the US and 12 allied countries issued a joint statement containing ultimatums for the Houthis about the potential for retaliatory attacks due to sabotage and provocations in the Red Sea recently.