Yemen Monitor/ New York/ Exclusive:
The U.S. stated on Monday that the Security Council must remain vigilant against the “Iran-backed Houthi terrorist threat.”
This statement was made by the US representative to the Security Council after the Council requested the UN Secretary-General to provide monthly written reports until January 15 regarding any further Houthi attacks on commercial and merchant vessels in the Red Sea.
The representative noted that the resolution is “an acknowledgment of the need for this Council’s continued vigilance against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorist threat.” She highlighted the Houthi attacks last week targeting the vessels “Magic Seas” and “Eternity-C.”
She added, “These attacks remind us once again of the Houthis’ terrorist tactics, their willingness to attack civilian targets, take the lives of innocent seafarers, hold hostages, and risk severe economic and environmental damage in Yemen and other countries throughout the region.”
She stated, “These attacks have harmed the freedom of commercial passage through the Red Sea. According to some reports, these attacks have also more than doubled the cost of insuring commercial vessels operating in the Red Sea.”
The US considers the Houthi attacks “terrorist and unjustified, and they demonstrate the threat the Houthis pose to freedom of navigation and regional economic and maritime security.”
The U.S. demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all crew members of the MV Eternity-C who were abducted by the Houthis.
The Council adopted the resolution with 12 votes in favor and 3 abstentions (Algeria, China, and the Russian Federation), meaning the Council has extended its request for reports on the Red Sea situation for additional months.
