African Union Condemns Houthi Attacks on Red Sea Oil Tankers, Warns of Threat to Global Shipping

Addis Ababa, July 2026 : The African Union (AU) has strongly condemned the latest attacks claimed by Yemen’s Houthi group on commercial oil tankers in the Red Sea, describing the strikes as a dangerous escalation that threatens regional stability, international maritime security and global trade.

In a statement issued on Thursday, AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf expressed the organisation’s full solidarity with Saudi Arabia and reaffirmed the African Union’s unwavering support for the Kingdom’s security, sovereignty and stability.

Youssouf warned that attacks on commercial shipping and any attempt to disrupt the free movement of vessels through the Red Sea pose a serious risk to one of the world’s most strategically important maritime corridors.

He stressed that freedom of navigation and the safety of commercial vessels must be respected in accordance with international law, noting that uninterrupted maritime traffic is critical not only for the Middle East but also for Africa’s economic interests.

“The security of shipping routes in the Red Sea is of vital strategic importance to the African continent,” Youssouf said, adding that any disruption could adversely affect maritime connectivity, global supply chains, energy security and the economies of numerous African nations that rely heavily on these sea lanes for international trade.

The AU chief urged the Houthi group to immediately halt all attacks targeting commercial vessels and avoid any actions that could further inflame tensions in the region. He also called on all parties to uphold international maritime law and ensure the safety of civilian shipping operating in the Red Sea.

The statement came after Yemen’s Houthi movement announced that it had launched a military operation targeting two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. The group claimed the vessels had violated maritime restrictions recently imposed by its armed forces, alleging that the ships breached an embargo on vessels calling at Saudi ports.

The attacks have renewed concerns over the security of one of the world’s busiest shipping lanes, through which a significant portion of global energy supplies and commercial goods transit each year.

The developments also prompted a strong reaction from the United States. Earlier on Thursday, US President Donald Trump warned that both the Houthi group and Iran would face severe military consequences if attacks on commercial shipping continued.

In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump expressed disappointment over the reported attacks, accusing the Houthis of targeting two Saudi Arabian vessels during the previous night. He also asserted that the United States would hold Iran accountable if the assaults persisted, reinforcing Washington’s long-standing position that Tehran supports the Houthi movement.

The latest incidents have heightened fears of a broader regional escalation, with international stakeholders increasingly concerned about the impact on maritime security, global commerce and energy markets. As diplomatic efforts continue, the Red Sea remains under close international scrutiny amid growing calls for restraint and the protection of vital shipping routes.

(The content of this article is sourced from a news agency and has not been edited by the Mavericknews30 team.)