Postponing a vote on a Security Council resolution denouncing Houthi threats to shipping
A vote within the Security Council that was supposed to take place on Wednesday against the Houthi groups in the Red Sea was postponed; Informed sources in New York said: Russia wanted to put in place amendments that need to be reviewed, and it is expected that the vote will return to the agenda on Thursday.
The draft resolution was prepared by the United States to “denounce in the strongest possible terms” the attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthi group against commercial ships and international navigation in the Red Sea and vital waterways in the region, and “takes note” of the right of countries of the world to defend their ships, recalling the necessity of adhering to the resolutions. International resolutions prohibiting the transfer of weapons, ammunition and military materiel to the group in accordance with international resolutions 2140, 2216 and 2624.
The drafters of the resolution could not confirm in advance whether Russia and other countries could allow the issuance of the resolution, which requires less than nine of the 15 votes in the Security Council, with no veto power from any of the five permanent members: the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.
The eleven paragraphs of the American draft resolution stipulate “condemning in the strongest possible terms” the attacks, which have numbered more than 26 since November 19, on commercial ships, including the “Galaxy Leader” cargo ship, which is managed by a Japanese company with links to an Israeli company. , calling on the Houthis to “immediately stop all these attacks, which hinder global trade and undermine navigational rights and freedoms, as well as regional peace and security,” and to “immediately release (Galaxy Leader) and its crew.”
The Galaxy Leader ship, which has been controlled by the Houthi group since last November (Reuters)
“Respect freedom of navigation”
The initial text distributed by American negotiators to the Security Council stated that “the navigational rights and freedoms of commercial ships must be respected in accordance with international law,” and that the Security Council “takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to defend their ships from attacks, including those that undermine rights.” and navigational freedoms. However, this paragraph was amended to cancel any “recognition” by the United Nations of “the right of any country to defend its ships.” The text commends “the efforts of Member States, within the context of the International Maritime Organization’s Framework for Action, to improve the safe and sound transport of ships underway to all countries in the Red Sea,” and also encourages Member States to “support efforts to build the capacity of the Yemeni Coast Guard to effectively implement the measures imposed under Paragraph 14.” From Resolution 2216 of 2015, with full respect for Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Despite the amendments made to the original text, a Western diplomat described the situation before the vote as “complicated.”
Paragraph 14 of Resolution 2216 states that the Security Council “decides that all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent, directly or indirectly, the supply, sale or transfer to or for the benefit of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim, and Abdullah The Houthi creator (…) and everyone who acts on their behalf or under their direction in Yemen, from or through its territory or through its citizens, or using ships or aircraft flying its flag, for weapons and related materiel of all kinds, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment. Paramilitary equipment and spare parts for the aforementioned, as well as technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, in connection with military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any weapons and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, whether originating from its territory or no”.
A photo from the US Department of Defense of the destroyer USS Labone during its transit through the Suez Canal (AFP)
Improving maritime security
The resolution also encourages member states to “continue building and strengthening their capabilities and supporting the building of port and coastal capabilities of countries in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab”; In order to “improve maritime security, including by providing technical assistance, appropriately, through United Nations entities in accordance with the mandates granted to each of them and at the request of these countries,” stressing the need to address the roots of the problem, including conflicts, conflicts that contribute to regional tensions and obstruct Maritime Security” in order to “ensure an effective and immediate response,” while emphasizing “the need for all countries to adhere to their duties, including the targeting weapons ban contained in Resolution 2216 and the classification of the Houthis as a group vulnerable to the arms embargo, in accordance with Resolution 2624.” It also “denounces the provision of weapons and related equipment of all types to the Houthis, in violation of Resolution 2216,” calling for “additional practical cooperation to prevent the Houthis from obtaining the necessary equipment to carry out additional attacks.” He urges “caution and restraint to avoid any further escalation of the situation in the Red Sea and the broader region,” encouraging “diplomatic efforts by all parties to this end, including by continuing to support the dialogue and political process in Yemen under the auspices of the United Nations.”
The biggest barrage
The vote on the resolution comes the day after the Houthis launched the largest barrage of drones and anti-ship cruise missiles in the Red Sea. Which forced American and British forces to shoot it down, without reporting any damage.
The private intelligence company “Ambry” reported that the attack occurred in two stages, the first off the Yemeni coastal cities of Hodeidah and Mokha, explaining that in the Hodeidah attack, ships sent signals via radio about seeing missiles and drones. US-allied warships urged merchant ships to “proceed with full speed.” She added that the ships off Mokha witnessed the launching of missiles, a drone in the air, and small boats following it.
The British destroyer HMS Diamond in the Red Sea (Reuters)
Complex attack
The British Army’s Maritime Trade Operations acknowledged the attack off Hodeidah. While the US Army Central Command reported that the “complex attack” carried out by the Houthis included drones loaded with bombs, in addition to anti-ship cruise missiles and an anti-ship ballistic missile. It reported the shooting down of 18 drones, two cruise missiles, and an anti-ship missile by F-18 aircraft launched from the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, and the American destroyers USS Gravely, USS Laboon, and USS Gravely. S. Mason.” As well as the British destroyer HMS Diamond. She also explained, “This is the 26th attack by the Houthis on commercial shipping lanes in the Red Sea since November 19.” Commercial ships were advised to “cross with caution and report any suspicious activity.”
The Houthis later claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement broadcast by their spokesman, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, who claimed that the attack “targeted an American ship that was providing support to the Zionist entity” during the war in Gaza against “Hamas,” also describing it as an “initial response” to the attack by American forces. By sinking Houthi ships and killing ten of them last week.
The 15 members of the Security Council unanimously condemn the Houthi attacks, stressing that they threaten the vital trade corridor that connects Asia and the Middle East with Europe via the Suez Canal in Egypt, and Bab al-Mandab, which is 29 kilometers wide at its two narrowest points, and through which about ten percent of the total oil passes. Which ships by sea. An estimated trillion dollars in goods pass through the strait annually.
2024-01-12 23:05:00
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