Security Council adopts resolution demanding immediate end to attacks in Red Sea

On January 10, the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution demanding that Houthi forces in Yemen immediately end attacks on ships in the Red Sea.

The resolution was passed with 11 votes in favor, no votes against, and 4 abstentions from Russia, China, Mozambique and Algeria.

Accordingly, the United Nations Security Council demanded that the Houthi forces "immediately cease attacks on vessels in the Red Sea, which violate international law, undermine global trade and undermine maritime rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security."

In the strongest language yet, the UN Security Council resolution condemned a series of attacks by Houthi militants off the coast of Yemen that have severely disrupted international maritime trade through the Red Sea and raised the risk that the conflict in the Gaza Strip could spread throughout the region.

The resolution also called on the international community to support the UN-led peace process to end the protracted civil war in Yemen.

Earlier, speaking to reporters the same day, UN Secretary-General's spokesman Stephane Dujarric said: "We remain very concerned about the situation in the Red Sea, not only because of current developments, the risks to global trade, the environment and life, but also the potential risk of escalating the conflict throughout the entire Middle East region."

The increase in attacks in the Red Sea has caused shipping companies to bypass the shipping route and instead reroute around South Africa's Cape of Good Hope, significantly increasing journey times and costs, according to Mr. Dujarric.

Since Israel launched a military operation in the Gaza Strip in retaliation for Hamas' October 7, 2023 attacks on Israeli territory, Yemen's Houthi forces have stepped up attacks on ships passing through international shipping lanes in the Red Sea in a show of solidarity with the Palestinians.

The United States, a key ally of Israel, has also formed an international coalition to protect maritime traffic in the strategically important region, through which at least 12 percent of the world's trade passes.