International Calls for Houthi Ceasefire in Red Sea Amidst Threat of Strikes from US and UK
UN Security Council demands Houthi rebels immediately halt their relentless attacks in the Red Sea as US and UK signal potential military action Region tense Attacks escalating
The United Nations Security Council approved a resolution on Wednesday, urging Yemen's Houthi rebel group to stop its aggressive attacks in the Red Sea. The United States and Britain suggested possible military action in response. These warnings come as the Iran-backed militants persist in launching drones and missiles at ships in the strategically important shipping lane, citing retaliation against Israel's military actions in Gaza.
The UN Security Council voted 11 in favor, 0 against, with four abstentions, including Russia and China.
On Wednesday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken cautioned that there will be repercussions for ongoing Houthi attacks, as he embarks on a diplomatic tour of the region in an effort to ease tensions.
The Red Sea is currently patrolled by a multinational force called Operation Prosperity Guardian, with more than 20 countries participating to protect shipping in this vital waterway. In recent weeks, US Navy warships have successfully intercepted a significant number of Houthi projectiles, including a sustained barrage of attacks on Tuesday.
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Region on edge
The war in Gaza has fueled fears of a wider regional conflict - with the narrow but vital Red Sea a potential flashpoint.
The UN resolution denounced around twenty-four Houthi assaults on merchant ships since November 19, when the Houthis seized the commercial vessel, Galaxy Leader.
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield accused Iran of aiding the Houthis, stressing that the resolution calls for the group to cease their violations of international law.
We praise the adoption of today's resolution by the United Nations Security Council, which was co-written by the United States and Japan. The resolution condemns Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea," she said in a statement Wednesday.
The resolution clearly demands that the Houthis stop their attacks and emphasizes the Council's backing of navigational rights and freedoms of vessels of all States in the Red Sea in line with international law.
The Houthis have stated that they will only consider relenting when Israel permits the entry of food and medicine into Gaza; the group's strikes may be aimed at causing economic hardship for Israel's allies in the hope that they will pressure Israel to stop its bombardment of the enclave.
On January 10, 2024, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken addressed the media before departing for Tel Aviv as part of his week-long trip to ease tensions in the Middle East. The event took place in Manama, Bahrain and the image was captured by Evelyn Hockstein.
Blinken issues a warning of consequences for ongoing Houthi attacks
In reaction to the UN vote, Mohamed Ali al-Houthi, a member of the Supreme Political Council and former leader of the Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee in Yemen, justified the group's actions.
He contended that the actions of the Yemeni armed forces are justified as legitimate defense, and accused the US, Britain, and Israel of violating international law in their actions against the war in Gaza.
Since the beginning of the conflict over three months ago, the Palestinian enclave of Gaza has been facing a dire humanitarian crisis. The Health Ministry in Gaza, run by Hamas, reported that over 23,000 people have been killed in Israeli attacks since October 7th.
The ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, however, both the ministry in Gaza and its counterpart in the occupied West Bank report that around 70% of the casualties are women and children.
The US has consistently pressed Israel to safeguard civilians during its operations against Hamas. However, in December, the US abstained from a UN Security Council vote that called for humanitarian pauses in the conflict because it did not explicitly condemn the Islamist militant group.
Barrage of attacks
There have been at least 26 Houthi attacks since November 19, threatening the global economy by preventing shipping through the Red Sea and Suez Canal to the north.
On December 31, US Navy helicopters successfully sank three Houthi boats in the Red Sea, after being attacked while assisting the commercial ship, the Maersk Hangzhou. The crews of the Houthi boats were fatally wounded.
British warship HMS Diamond deploys Sea Viper missiles against a Houthi aerial barrage in the Red Sea on January 10, 2024.
UK Ministry of Defence/AP
The UN resolution was passed following the US and British navies taking down 21 Houthi missiles and drones launched from Yemen in one of the largest Houthi attacks in the Red Sea in recent months, as reported by US Central Command. Houthi military spokesperson Yahya Saree stated that the attack was a response to a US attack on Houthi naval units the previous week, targeting an American ship allegedly aiding Israel.
Three guided-missile destroyers from the US and F/A-18 fighter jets from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower aircraft carrier participated in a coordinated operation to intercept missiles and drones on Tuesday, as reported by US Central Command.
Additionally, the UK's Royal Navy air defense destroyer, HMS Diamond, was also part of the effort, as confirmed by British Defense Secretary Grant Shapps, who emphasized the commitment to taking necessary measures to safeguard innocent lives and the global economy.
Shapps stated that the UK and its allies have strongly emphasized that the illegal attacks are unacceptable, and the consequences will be borne by the Houthis if they persist. This report includes contributions from CNN's Eyad Kourdi, Hamdi Alkhshali, and Brad Lendon.
