France reiterates call on Houthis to end attacks in Red Sea

Red Sea – France condemns the ongoing Houthi attacks against commercial ships – Press briefing by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson (excerpt)

Paris, 24 January 2024

France reiterates its condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against commercial ships in the Red Sea, which undermine navigational rights and freedoms. Through these armed actions, the Houthis bear full responsibility for regional escalation. We call on them to end these attacks and to immediately release the Galaxy Leader and its crew, whom they have held hostage since 19 November 2023.

We supported the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2722 on 10 January, which states that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms must be respected and that States have the right to defend their ships against these attacks, in accordance with international law.

France will continue shouldering its responsibilities and contributing to maritime security in the area in conjunction with its partners in the region, with the aim of avoiding a regional escalation. We are continuing to deploy a French frigate in the Red Sea for that purpose. We are working with our partners to have the EU step up its contribution to maritime security in the Red Sea. (…)./.

Red Sea - Houthi violation of freedom of navigation - Statement by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson

12 January 2024

France reiterates its condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against commercial ships in the Red Sea, which undermine navigational rights and freedoms, and it demands that the Houthis end them immediately. Through these armed actions, the Houthis bear a very heavy responsibility for regional escalation.

Through its Resolution 2722, the Security Council stated on 10 January 2024 that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms must be respected and that States have the right to respond to these attacks, in accordance with international law.

France will continue shouldering its responsibilities and contributing to maritime security in the area in conjunction with its partners, as it was called to do on 9 and 11 December 2023 when the Languedoc frigate was engaged to destroy drones.

Q&A – Press briefing by the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs Deputy Spokesperson (excerpt)

Paris, 4 January 2024

(…)

Q. – Why did France decide not to join its partners in a communiqué yesterday that called on the Houthis to stop actions in the Red Sea and threatened consequences if those actions continued?

THE DEPUTY SPOKESPERSON – France condemns the attacks carried out by the Houthis against commercial ships in the Red Sea. These attacks undermine fundamental principles of international law, particularly freedom of movement on the open seas. Because of these armed actions, the Houthis bear extremely heavy responsibility for the escalating tensions in the region, as well as for international stability. We continue to call for the immediate release of the Galaxy Leader and its crew, illegally detained by the Houthis.

France recalls that States have the right to take appropriate measures to ensure safety at sea. France has deployed in the Red Sea the frigate Languedoc, which is already contributing to that aim, including in association with Operation Prosperity Guardian. France will continue shouldering its responsibilities in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and will go on contributing to the safety of commercial shipping, in conjunction with its partners. In this regard, the regional players’ involvement seems to us crucial. (…)./.

Published on 24/01/2024

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