UN Security Council demands Yemeni Houthis cease attacks in Red Sea
Photo: UN Security council calls on Houthis to halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea (Getty Images)
The UN Security Council has demanded that Yemeni Houthi rebels immediately halt attacks on ships in the Red Sea and warned against the escalation of tensions, reports Reuters.
The demand was part of a Security Council resolution that also called on the Houthis to release the Japanese-owned vessel, Galaxy Leader, seized on November 19 with 25 people on board.
Eleven Security Council members voted in favor of the resolution, obliging the Houthis to "immediately cease all attacks, which impede global commerce and navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace."
Four members, including Russia and China, abstained. None voted against.
In a key provision of the resolution initiated by the United States and Japan, the right of UN member states under international law was emphasized "to defend their vessels from attack, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms."
Houthi Attacks on Ships in the Red Sea
In November of last year, attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels on civilian ships in the Red Sea began. It was reported that on December 16, a British destroyer shot down a Sea Viper missile drone attempting to attack a merchant ship.
On December 19, the Pentagon announced the start of the special operation Operation Prosperity Guardian to protect ships from Houthi attacks. Over 20 countries joined the coalition.
Today, it became known that the European Union plans to deploy at least three military ships to safeguard vessels in the Red Sea facing attacks from Houthi rebels in Yemen.
