G7 urges Houthis to halt attacks on Saudi‑linked shipping

The Group of Seven (G7) nations have formally accused Yemen’s Houthi rebels of deliberately targeting civilian shipping routes in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, close to Saudi Arabian waters. The allegations follow a series of incidents in which commercial vessels reported missile and drone strikes that caused damage but resulted in limited casualties. The G7 statement underscored concerns that the attacks threaten international maritime trade and contravene established norms of armed conflict, prompting calls for a coordinated diplomatic response to deter further aggression.

In response, United Kingdom Prime Minister Andy Burnham announced that Britain will provide “time‑limited” and “defensive” military assistance aimed at protecting merchant ships from Houthi attacks. The support is described as temporary and focused on safeguarding navigation corridors rather than conducting offensive operations. The pledge aligns with broader G7 efforts to secure critical shipping lanes while seeking a diplomatic resolution to the wider conflict in Yemen.