Prime Minister Luxon clarified that no New Zealand defence personnel would enter Yemen or engage in combat
New Zealand is set to deploy a six-member defence team to the Middle East as part of an international coalition aimed at upholding maritime security in the Red Sea, announced Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on Tuesday. The decision comes amidst ongoing air strikes by the United States and Britain against the Iranian-allied Houthi group in Yemen. The Houthi insurgents have been targeting civilian ships in the Red Sea, citing opposition to Israel’s military actions in the Gaza Strip.
Addressing the media, Prime Minister Luxon expressed strong condemnation for the Houthi attacks, deeming them “illegal, unacceptable, and profoundly destabilising.” He emphasised that New Zealand’s deployment is consistent with its historical commitment to defending freedom of navigation, both in the Middle East and closer to home.
On Monday there were renewed airstrikes by U.S. and British forces, targeting a Houthi underground storage site along with missile and surveillance capabilities, as reported by the Pentagon. The persistent Houthi attacks have not only disrupted global shipping but have also raised concerns about potential global inflation and the broader destabilisation of the Middle East, further fuelled by the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Prime Minister Luxon clarified that no New Zealand defence personnel would enter Yemen or engage in combat. Instead, their role would focus on contributing to the collective self-defence of ships in the Middle East, in accordance with international law.
Foreign Minister Winston Peters emphasised that New Zealand’s actions should not be linked to its position on the Israel-Hamas conflict. He stated, “Any suggestion that our ongoing support for maritime security in the Middle East is connected to recent developments in Israel and the Gaza Strip is wrong.”
Apart from its military contribution, New Zealand has been actively advocating for a humanitarian truce, humanitarian pauses, and urgent steps towards a sustainable ceasefire in Gaza. The country’s involvement reflects a commitment to regional stability and maritime security in the face of escalating tensions in the Middle East.
