Kenya has joined the US, the United Kingdom (UK) and other 21 nations in issuing a stern warning against the Houthis over incessant attacks in Yemen.

In a joint statement issued through the White House, the 24 nations warned the Houthis and those who supply them with weapons against continuing with the attacks.

“The thirty-plus attacks that the Houthis have launched on commercial and naval vessels since mid-November constitute a threat to all countries that rely on international maritime shipping.  We condemn these attacks, and demand an end to them.  We also underscore that those who supply the Houthis with the weapons to conduct these attacks are violating UN Security Council Resolution 2216 and international law,” the statement read in part.

Other nations that were part of the nations issuing the statement include Albania, Australia, Bahrain, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Germany, Guinea-Bissau, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Poland, Republic of Korea and Romania.

On Wednesday, Al Jazeera reported that the United States military launched new strikes in Yemen against the group’s antiship missiles and facilities in Iraq targeting Iran-backed armed groups it says were behind missile and drone attacks on US troops in Iraq and Syria.

“The January 22 international response to the continuing Houthi attacks demonstrated shared resolve to uphold navigational rights and freedoms, and to defend the lives of mariners from illegal and unjustifiable attacks,” the statement added.

US strikes Houthi

In response to continued attacks against vessels transiting the Red Sea and surrounding waterways, the armed forces of the United States and United Kingdom, with support from Australia, Bahrain, Canada, and the Netherlands, conducted additional strikes against eight targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

“These strikes were designed to disrupt and degrade the capability of the Houthis to continue their attacks on global trade and innocent mariners from around the world, while avoiding escalation,” the statement added.

The Houthis control the most populous parts of Yemen and support Hamas. They launched attacks against ships in the Red Sea, in what they said was an action in solidarity with Palestinians following Israel’s relentless attacks in the Gaza Strip.

On Wednesday, the US Central Command forces conducted strikes against two anti-ship missiles that were aimed at the Southern Red Sea and were prepared to launch.

“US forces identified the missiles in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen and determined that they presented an imminent threat to merchant vessels and the US Navy ships in the region. US forces subsequently struck and destroyed the missiles in self-defense. This action will protect freedom of navigation and make international waters safer and more secure for US Navy vessels and merchant vessels,” the US said in a statement.