By Manal Abdel Fattah
The official spokesman for the US Embassy in Cairo, Peter Winter, said that the Egyptian and global economy depends on the Red Sea corridor for shipping goods, as about 15% of global trade passes annually through this waterway, in addition to 30% of global container traffic and a trillion dollars in goods.
He added, during a statement to the US Embassy in Cairo, that the Houthi attacks lead to a rise in the cost of food, fuel, and humanitarian aid operations in the region, and their attacks do not only affect shipping companies and their crews, but also affect ordinary people all over the world, including Egyptians.
He continued that, given the huge volume of trade across the Red Sea, the Houthis’ reckless actions will lead to an increase in the cost of basic goods such as food, medicine and fuel.
He added: Countries like Egypt, whose ports and economies directly benefit from Red Sea and Suez Canal trade, will feel the biggest impacts, with Egypt, which derives an estimated 2% of GDP from Suez Canal transit fees, being considered particularly vulnerable.
He added that Jordan, which has only the port of Aqaba as an outlet to the world, is similarly threatened by restrictions on traffic in the Red Sea, noting that all Arab countries depend on shipping from these waterways.
The spokesman added that the American operations came in direct response to the unprecedented Houthi attacks against international naval vessels in the Red Sea, where more than 2,000 ships were forced to divert thousands of miles to avoid the Red Sea, which could cause weeks of delays in product shipping times and increased shipping times. Costs.
The spokesman said that on January 10, before the US operations, the UN Security Council issued a resolution calling on the Houthis to end attacks on commercial ships.
He added that with regard to Gaza, a larger share of financial contributions from donor countries and organizations will go to shipping and insurance costs for humanitarian aid directed to those in need, including the Palestinian people.
He added that the Houthis’ actions also harm the people they claim to represent. Food security is a major issue in Yemen after years of war, and the Houthis’ destabilizing actions increase the cost of delivering food to the Yemeni people.
He added that on December 18, the United States announced the launch of Operation “Prosperity Guardian,” which includes more than 20 countries committed to helping protect navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea. This is a defense alliance operating under the umbrella of the Combined Maritime Forces, which is a pre-existing alliance that includes 39 countries. Member Established in 2001, it aims to reassure global commercial shipping that the international community is there to help provide safe passage.
He continued: Operation “Prosperity Guardian” is committed to addressing the threats facing Egyptian economic interests in the Red Sea, adding that without Operation “Prosperity Guardian,” the economic impacts will be felt all over the world, which will directly affect the cost of food, fuel, and other goods that are transported. Purchased locally in Egypt.
He added: More than 40 countries have joined the United States in condemning the Houthi attacks, but more global action is needed, and we encourage other countries to join us in condemning these attacks and calling on the Houthis to stop this behavior.
