The Canadian Armed Forces were deployed with US Central Command in a series of targeted strikes against Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly and National Defence Minister Bill Blair issued a joint release today.
The Houthis are a militant group, backed by Iran, who have been responsible for a series of attacks on commercial marine traffic in the Red Sea, one of the world’s busiest commercial shipping lanes.
Ministers Blair and Joly say Canada condemns what they call “the reckless Houthi attacks against commercial ships and crew operating in the Red Sea” which affect the flow of food, fuel and humanitarian on the global market.
Canadian officials are calling on Houthis to “cease their attacks immediately, and reiterate that they bear the consequences of their actions.”
Yesterday’s strikes were carried out by the United States and the UK, with armed forces involvement from Australia, Bahrain and the Netherlands.
These precision strikes are consistent with the UN Charter and demonstrate the international community’s commitment to defending freedom of navigation and international commerce in the Red Sea.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) January 12, 2024
We call on Houthis to cease their attacks immediately, and reiterate that they bear the consequences of their actions. We remain committed to working with our partners in the Middle East to help advance sustainable peace and security in the region.
— Bill Blair (@BillBlair) January 12, 2024
