US, GCC condemn attack on UAE ship

washington — The US, the Gulf Cooperation Council and the Arab League condemned Houthi attack on the UAE ship, HSV-2 Swift.

The ship was on a routine trip to deliver medical and relief aid to Aden, and to evacuate the wounded civilians.

In a statement on Sunday night, John Kirby, Spokesperson of the US Department of State, said: “The United States strongly condemns the Houthi forces’ unprovoked attack against a UAE vessel operating near the Bab Al Mandeb.

“We take these threats seriously. The United States remains committed to upholding freedom of navigation through the Bab Al Mandeb,” the statement said.

In a statement carried by the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) on Monday, the Secretary-General of the GCC, Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, said that the Gulf Cooperation Council considers the attack as an act of terrorism that jeopardises international navigation in Bab Al Mandab, exposing it to grave risk, as it runs contrary to international navigation laws and to regional and international efforts being made to send relief aid to Yemen.

In another statement on Sunday, the Arab League condemned the Houthi militia for targeting the Emirati civilian ship. Ahmed Abul Ghait, Secretary-General of the Arab League, described the attack as “unacceptable and violating international laws.”