New Zealand Defense Minister Judith Collins said it was important for her country to join in condemning attacks on commercial shipping ships in the Red Sea because New Zealand relies heavily on supply lines.

New Zealand and 11 other countries this week issued a final warning to the Iran-backed Houthis, who have carried out more than 20 attacks on boats on the main trade route, that they would face consequences if they did not cease hostilities.
The Houthis in Yemen are targeting ships in The Red Sea since November in solidarity with the Gaza Strip, which has been subjected to Israeli aggression since last October.

Collins did not address what those consequences might be, but she said New Zealand should stand with its allies, who believe in free access to these shipping lanes.

According to New Zealand's Newshub TV website, Collins said: "I'm not sure I can talk about [specific consequences] given that something is clearly being considered." “But what I can say is that New Zealand has contributed to

Maritime security in the Middle East since the 1990s, and we have 12 members in the Combined Maritime Forces stationed in Bahrain - a multinational maritime partnership that contributes to security and stability.”
She added: “So, we have been contributing to this for a very long time.” “It is natural for us to want our voices to be heard.”

Collins said the attacks were a direct threat to New Zealand's interests, and it was important for the government to speak out.
She added that many of the world's major shipping companies no longer transit through the Red Sea, which increases costs and increases disruption and uncertainty. in those supply chains.

She continued: “We have certainly seen a comment from shipping companies that what is happening in the Red Sea is greatly increasing the cost, and we have certainly seen [a comment] in the media by people working in the field of logistics that the cost of shipping containers has decreased. Through the roof.” Obviously New Zealanders have to pay a price for this, so it's important that this gets resolved.

New Zealand for the first time joined the European Union, NATO, the United States, Australia and seven other countries in condemning the attacks in December, but this week's statement went further by saying the Houthis "will bear responsibility for the consequences" if they do not stop.< /p>

Meanwhile, Secretary of State Winston Peters spoke with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and the conflict between Israel and Gaza was one of the topics raised.