UN Urges Restraint in the Red Sea to Avoid Escalating Tensions
The United Nations has issued a statement regarding recent developments in the Red Sea, highlighting the need for all parties involved to respect the resolution put forward by the UN Security Council. The statement comes after the USA and the UK carried out an air strike against Yemen with the support of other countries.
UN Secretary-General Guterres emphasized the importance of fully respecting resolution 2722, which was adopted by the UN Security Council in relation to the Red Sea. The Secretary-General reiterated that attacks targeting international shipping in the Red Sea are unacceptable and have a detrimental impact on the security of global supply chains and the global economic and humanitarian situation.
The statement also called on the Houthis to put an end to these attacks in accordance with UNSC Resolution No. 2722, as well as urging countries to protect their ships from attacks to comply with international law.
Guterres further requested all parties to avoid taking steps that could escalate the situation in the Red Sea and the wider region.
The situation in the Red Sea has escalated in recent months, with the Houthis in Yemen seizing commercial ships off the coast and targeting them with drones and missiles. The actions of the Houthis have led to many shipping companies deciding to suspend their voyages in the Red Sea, prompting the formation of a multinational “maritime task force” dubbed “Operation Welfare Guardian” in response to the security threat to global maritime trade.
The UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an immediate end to the Houthis’ attacks in the Red Sea in light of the escalating tensions and the significant impact of the region on global trade.
With approximately 12 percent of global trade passing through the Suez Canal, which connects the Mediterranean to the Red Sea, the need to address the security situation in the region is of paramount importance. The UN’s statement serves as a call for all parties to work towards a peaceful resolution and to respect international law in the Red Sea.
