US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin speaks during a joint press conference with Defense Minister Yoav Gallant (not pictured), in Tel Aviv, on December 18, 2023.
Answering a question on the Houthis at his press conference alongside Defense Minister Gallant, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says the Yemeni rebel group’s attacks on shipping are “reckless, dangerous and they violate international law.”
He says the US is taking action “to build an international coalition to address this threat.”
To that end, he says, “I’m convening a meeting tomorrow, a ministerial meeting with fellow ministers in the region and beyond to address this threat.”
It will be a virtual meeting, he clarifies. And the members of the group will address the threat “in a meaningful way in the future… to ensure… freedom of navigation in the area,” especially given the threat to international commerce.
