The International Maritime Organization condemns Houthi “illegal” attacks on ships in the Red Sea
Yemen Monitor/Newsroom
IMO Member States call for an immediate end to ongoing attacks on ships and seafarers transiting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
The attacks have been described as “illegal and unjustified,” posing a direct threat to freedom of navigation in one of the world’s most critical waterways, while causing major disruptions to regional and global trade.
This is the first resolution adopted by IMO Member States on this issue since the Houthi takeover of the MV Galaxy Leader in November 2023. Since then, there have been around 50 serious and destabilizing maritime attacks, resulting in the deaths of several seafarers and with 25 Galaxy Leader crew members still held hostage. The Committee called for their immediate and unconditional release.
The attacks are putting innocent lives at risk, disrupting the delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid to those who need it most, increasing the cost of this humanitarian assistance, and destabilizing the region.
The Committee called for peaceful dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis. In particular, it urged any party that may have relations with the Houthis to use that influence to seek an end to the attacks.
It also stressed that all 176 IMO Member States are obligated to prevent the direct or indirect supply of arms and related materiel to the Houthis, under the targeted UN arms embargo.
Echoing the resolution, IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Domínguez said: “IMO Member States condemn these reckless attacks in the strongest possible terms.
The maritime industry supports the supply chains that are the lifeline of nations and populations around the world – and innocent seafarers and merchant ships carrying essential supplies should be able to sail freely, without hindrance due to geopolitical tensions.
“I urge all governments and relevant organizations to provide maximum assistance to affected seafarers, and to spare no effort in finding a solution to this crisis,” he said.
IMO will continue to monitor the situation and engage with stakeholders, in cooperation with Member States and partners from international industry bodies.
The resolution, adopted on 23 May, encouraged ship and ship-owners to make a careful assessment of the evolving and unpredictable nature of recent incidents, as well as the potential for continued attacks in the region, when considering routing plans.
