The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution demanding that Yemen’s Houthis immediately end attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
The council also repeated calls for the Houthis rebels to release the NYK Line chartered car carrier 5,100-ceu Galaxy Leader (built 2002) and its crew.
Eleven members voted for the measure demanding the Houthis “immediately cease all attacks, which impede global commerce and navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace”.
Four members abstained including veto-wielding Russia and China as well as Algeria and Mozambique.
The text of the resolution calls for “respect for the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels in line with international law”.
It further takes note of the right of member states, in accordance with international law, to “defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms”.
The text “commends efforts” taken so far to protect shipping under fire in the Red Sea and encourages member states to “support capacity building efforts” of the Yemeni coastguard to protect the sovereignty and integrity of the country.
It also emphasised the need to “address the root causes” of the attack that are contributing to regional tensions, to ensure a “prompt, efficient and effective response”.
The resolution condemned the provision of any arms to the Houthis and “urges caution and restraint to avoid further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and the broader region”.
It urges continued support for the UN-led peace process to end Yemen’s long-running civil conflict.
“The threat to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea is a global challenge that necessitates a global response,” US ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield told the council.
Russia had proposed three amendments to the draft text, but all were defeated.
Russian ambassador Vassily Nebenzia emphasised what he described as the “dangerous side” of the resolution presented by the US.
While condemning the attacks on civilian ships, the Russian delegation stated that the objective of the resolution was not ensure the safety of navigation in the Red Sea, but an attempt to legitimise the coalition’s actions “led by the United States and the United Kingdom” and to obtain, indirectly, the Security Council’s “blessings”.
US Central Command said there have been 26 Houthi strikes on shipping since the Houthis seized the Galaxy Leader on 19 November 2023.
