A screen grab from footage released by Yemen’s Houthi rebels shows how they seized the ship
Moscow/Tehran/Washington DC: After the US-UK strikes on multiple locations in Yemen, targeting the militant group Houthis, Russia and Iran slammed the attacks. When Russia reacted that the strikes were "blatant armed aggression against another country", Iran burst out that the attacks were "arbitrary" and breaching international law, Agence France-Presse reported.
Meanwhile, on Friday, United States President Joe Biden called Houthis a "terrorist" group. He warned that Washington would respond if Houthis continued its "outrageous behaviour", Reuters reported.
Earlier on the day, the White House had said that the US does not wish to wage war against Yemen but will not hesitate to act if required.
Russia's ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, said that the said strikes were an attack on the people of a country as a whole, using aircraft, warships and submarines. His comment is so curious when considering the ongoing conflict going on in Ukraine and particularly how bloody it was when it started when Russia invaded the country.
Iran's foreign ministry spokesman, Nasser Kanani, stated that the country strongly condemns the US-UK attack. The action was a clear violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen, along with a violation of international laws and regulations. He warned that the attacks would fuel more instability and insecurity in the region. He alleged that the intention behind the attacks was to divert the world's attention from the crimes going on in Gaza.
Further, Iran Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed support for the Houthis and their claimed cause. According to the militant group, they are attacking vessels belonging to the US, its allies, and Israel-bound ships in a bid to express solidarity towards Palestinians.
"Yemen's action in supporting the women and children of Gaza and confronting the Israeli regime's genocide is commendable," Amir-Abdollahian wrote on X.
But, Washington's ambassador to the UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfeild, stated that no ships through the Red Sea are immune to Houthis's attacks.
Houthis were attacking ships at the mouth of the Red Sea, which is a major international trade route. The militant group's attacks made shipping companies suspend operations on the route and choose other costly ones.