Spain, like the United Kingdom, is a country with a great maritime tradition, we both know a lot about trading by sea and we depend on freedom of navigation. For a few months now, this free flow of goods has been endangered in the Red Sea by the Houthis, an extremist group that illegally took power in Yemen ten years ago, unleashing a civil war and the misery of its people.
Almost 15 percent of the products imported by Europe, the Middle East and North Africa come from Asia and the Persian Gulf via the Red Sea. Since November, the Houthis, who have the political, economic and weapons support of Iran, have carried out more than 30 attacks with drones and missiles against merchant ships from different countries, causing economic damage and endangering the lives of innocent sailors. . Many major international shipping companies have been forced to reroute, and shipping costs have risen sharply as container, oil and chemical ships have to make a 8,000 kilometer detour around Africa.
And does that affect us directly? Well, we already saw the consequences of the war in Ukraine on our electricity bills, among other things. Now, an increase in the costs of transporting goods can mean a new increase in the shopping basket.
Although this goes beyond economics: it is a question of principles. And the international community responded immediately: of course, in the UN Security Council, where the attacks have been condemned and asked to stop; In addition, 43 countries, including the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, on behalf of the Twenty-Seven, signed another statement of condemnation; The United Kingdom joined the United States and around 20 countries to create Operation Prosperity Guardians, a naval force to protect shipping in the Red Sea.
Despite repeated warnings from the international community, the Houthi militias have made it clear that they have no intention of ceasing their threats. So, in the face of continued aggression, the United Kingdom and the United States, supported by several countries, have attacked carefully selected Houthi military targets, in compliance with international law, in self-defense (a Royal Navy ship has also been attacked) and with the utmost care to protect civilian lives.
These decisions are not made lightly. The British Government does not want a conflict. Our goal is to reduce tensions and restore stability in the shortest, cheapest and easiest commercial sea route to Europe. We urge the Houthis to cease these unacceptable attacks. At the same time, we will not hesitate to act in self-defense and defend lives and freedom of navigation if necessary. As the British Prime Minister has said, not acting is also a decision.
Our response goes further: the United Kingdom is one of the main donors of humanitarian aid to Yemen, with more than €1.1 billion since 2015. We maintain intense diplomatic activity, especially in the UN Security Council, supporting the talks between neighboring Saudi Arabia and the Houthis to reach a negotiated agreement to end the civil war in Yemen. We have appealed to Iran to stop supplying weapons and information to the Houthis, and to urge them to cease attacks. And we have sanctioned key Houthi leaders.
What is happening in the Red Sea not only affects trade; It is a threat to freedom of navigation, to the lives of innocent people and, furthermore, to respect for international law. The United Kingdom will continue to work with our allies for security on the seas.
