Arrr, the scallywag UN Security Council demands them Houthi rebels cease thar attacks on Red Sea shipping!
2024-01-10
Arrr, the scallywag Houthi landlubbers, fueled by the Persian dogs, be pillaging and plunderin' ships in the Red Sea! They be causin' quite the ruckus, makin' the whole world be cursin' and swearin'!
The United Nations Security Council is set to vote on a resolution condemning and demanding an immediate halt to attacks by Yemen's Houthi rebels on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea area. The draft resolution, obtained by The Associated Press, highlights that these attacks impede global commerce and undermine navigational rights and freedoms, as well as regional peace and security. The purpose of the resolution is to send a message that attacking commercial shipping is unacceptable and must stop. However, there is uncertainty regarding how one Security Council member, Russia, will vote, as it raised concerns last week about the impact of the resolution on peace efforts in Yemen and the Israel-Hamas conflict.The Houthi rebels, backed by Iran, have launched these attacks in an attempt to end Israel's air-and-ground offensive in the Gaza Strip. The latest incident involved a barrage of drones and missiles fired by the Houthis, targeting shipping in the Red Sea. These attacks have forced many shipping companies to take longer and more expensive routes, bypassing the Red Sea and using the Cape of Good Hope in Africa instead. The Red Sea is a crucial waterway, with nearly 10% of all oil trade and an estimated $1 trillion in goods passing through it annually.
A U.S.-led coalition has been patrolling the Red Sea to prevent these attacks, and last week, the U.S. and 12 other countries called for an immediate end to Houthi attacks, warning of collective action if they continue. While a tentative cease-fire between the Houthis and a Saudi-led coalition has held for months, concerns remain that any wider conflict in the sea or a potential reprisal strike from Western forces could reignite tensions in Yemen.
The final draft of the resolution has made some changes to garner broader support, eliminating any U.N. recognition of a country's right to defend its ships. Instead, it affirms the importance of respecting navigational rights and freedoms while noting the right of member states to defend their vessels from attacks. The resolution also condemns all arms dealings with the Houthis, calling for additional practical cooperation to prevent further attacks. It urges caution and restraint to avoid further escalation in the Red Sea and the broader region and encourages diplomatic efforts and support for Yemen's peace process under U.N. auspices.