New York: The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution condemning “in the strongest terms” multiple Houthi rebels attacks on ships in the Red Sea over the past two months, which have raised concerns over disruptions in global trade and regional security.
The council demanded that the group immediately cease such behavior and release the Galaxy Leader, a Japan-operated cargo ship with links to an Israeli businessman, and its 25 crew members.
Authored by the US and Japan, the resolution stated that there should be respect for international law that upholds the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by operators of merchant and commercial vessels. It also noted that member states have the right to defend their vessels from attacks.
The resolution stated that member states must respect the targeted arms embargo, and condemned the provision of weapons and related material of all types to the Houthis, which are in violation of UN Resolution 2216 which was adopted in 2015.
Eleven council members voted for Resolution 2722 related to the Houthi attacks, none against, while Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique abstained.