UNSC discusses Red Sea attacks, rising threat of spillover from Gaza war

Anjali Sharma

GG News Bureau
UNITED NATIONS, 4th Jan. UN Security Council on Wednesday held its first open meeting on the attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea which are growing threat to global trade and the stability of the entire region as the war between Israel and Palestinian militants group Hamas continues in Gaza

French Ambassador to the UN, Nicolas de Rivière, the president of the UNSC for the month of January presided the open meeting said their armed actions, the Houthis and those who train and support them, bear a heavy responsibility for the escalation of tensions in the region, as well as for international stability.

He recalled that France and all States have the right to take appropriate measures to ensure safety at sea. This is what France did when the frigate Languedoc destroyed drones on December 9 that were threatening one of its ships, he told the Council.

Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière noted that it is also the collective responsibility of this Council to ensure that the peace process in Yemen continues according to the road map of the UN Special Envoy.

He said that France will carry out its responsibilities in the Bab Al Mandeb Strait and will continue to contribute to the safety of commercial ships in conjunction with its partners, he insisted, called on all international and regional actors to avoid further escalation.

Russian Ambassador to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, said that restrictions on freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden was not happening in a vacuum.

He said nobody should deny that “what is happening in the Red Sea is a direct projection of the violence in Gaza, where Israel’s bloody operation has been ongoing for three months.”

Vassily Nebenzia noted that escalation is also happening in other occupied Palestinian territories, he continued, as well as across the Israel-Lebanon border.

He blamed the US for covering up Israel’s actions, and holding the remaining members of the Security Council “hostage” by vetoing any resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire.

“We see two scenarios going forward he said: firstly and preferably, redoubling the Council’s efforts to resolve the decades-long conflict in Yemen and end the violence in the Gaza Strip,” he stated.

Vassily Nebenzia stressed that the second “catastrophic” option would be “putting out the fire” of the crisis in the Red Sea with gasoline, as the United States and its allies are calling us to do.

He said unfortunately, the second scenario seems to be emerging, he said, attacking the US-led “international maritime coalition” aimed at deterring Houthi attacks.

He claimed that for the “hot heads” in Washington, another conflict in the Middle East is just another geopolitical game.

Algerian envoy to the UN Amar Bendjama told the Council members that Algeria was committed to international peace and security.

He recognized the crucial role of the Red Sea passage as of “paramount importance for the whole world.”

Amar Bendjama said the crisis at sea must been seen within a broader regional context.

He warned that first, it’s currently navigating instability due to the war in Gaza with the potential of spillover “at any moment”.

Amar Bendjama added that it is crucial to prevent the emergence of any regional conflict with “out of control regional consequences”.

Algerian envoy said positive signs have been emanating from Yemen due to the good work of the UN Special Envoy.

He said it was vital to steer clear of any action that could interfere with his work there.

Amar Bendjama said comprehensive analysis necessitated an understanding of the history and geography of the region, therefore addressing the root causes of the conflict is essential.

He reiterated that the current international and regional instability is the manifestation of yet another profound malaise he said, warning of the “erosion of collective security architecture” and “weakening of diplomacy”.

He concluded the Red Sea was far more than just a trade route, hailing it as an historic region with legitimate aspirations and hopes.

British Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN, James Kariuki called on the Houthis to cease their attacks immediately.

He said that today we joined 11 countries in a statement warning against further attacks.

“We will continue to work with allies and partners to pursue all diplomatic routes to end this threat. If necessary, as the UK Defence Secretary has stated, we will not hesitate to take action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea.”

He stressed that on the contrary to claims made by the Houthis, these attacks are totally indiscriminate and target shipping that has no connection to Israel.

James Kariuki recalled that British Foreign Secretary spoke with the Iranian Foreign Minister on Sunday, made it clear his view that Iran shares responsibility for preventing these attacks, given their long-standing support to the Houthis.

He called for all parties in the region to avoid escalation, and exercise restraint, expressing concern for the plight of civilians.

Japanese envoy to the UN Yamazaki Kazuyuki, said his country was outraged by the armed “seizure” and continued holding of the Japanese-operated Galaxy Leader and its 25-person multinational crew, on 19 November.

He said it was unacceptable that the innocent crew has been detained for more than 40 days.

Yamazaki Kazuyuki reiterated that the Red Sea is a critical sea lane and being forced to divert around the Cape of Good Hope is more costly, energy-intensive, and time-consuming.

He unequivocally condemned the Houthi’s actions and called on them to cease.

Yamazaki Kazuyuki stressed that continued attacks will have a negative impact on supply chains and the global economy. It is crucial now to think about next steps,.

He said the Security Council must take “appropriate action to deter additional threats” by the Houthis and maintain international peace and security.

American ambassador and deputy to the UN Christopher Lu , said that the threat to navigational rights and freedoms in the Red Sea is a global challenge and necessitates a global response”.

Christopher Lu said “We condemn the continued attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea.

“This is unacceptable,” he added

He called on the Council to speak with one voice and demand that the Houthis stop their attacks.

“We do not want confrontation with Iran but he said that the delivery of weapons to the Houthis by that country is a clear violation of the relevant Council resolutions.

“We call for a global response from this Council to this global challenge and we are ready to discuss the situation further with other Member States, he added.

Head of the International Maritime Organization, Arsenio Dominguez, said that recent information received by IMO showed that Houthis were not confining their attacks just to shipping linked to Israel.

Arsenio Dominguez said a significant number of companies are rerouting their ships around South Africa to reduce their risks, represented an additional 10 days to journeys on average, and negatively impacting international trade, and costs of freight.

He reminded of recommendations agreed in December on how to deal with the crisis, said IMO had a programme in place on security in the Red Sea region.

Arsenio Dominguez reiterated his call for de-escalation “to ensure safety of our seafarers, freedom of navigation and stability of supply chains.”

He said IMO would continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with Member States and partners from the industry and navies involved in ensuring security at sea.

Khairi said to avoid further escalation and risk of ‘regional conflagration’ is needed.

He said “We reiterate that incidents originating from Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen must stop

“No cause or grievance can justify continuation of these attacks against the freedom of navigation”, he added.

“As to the overall situation in the region, we encourage all concerned parties to avoid further escalation and de-escalate tensions and threats. This is critical so that traffic through the Red Sea can return to its normal state and the risk of Yemen being dragged into a regional conflagration be avoided.”

He concluded that the “continued assistance of this Council in actively engaging with all concerned parties who may be able to push for restraint remains extremely valuable so that through our combined efforts we can prevent further escalation in the Red Sea from exacerbating regional tensions or undermining regional peace, security, or international trade.”

Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Mohamed Khaled Khiari, told the open meeting of the Council that there have been alarming developments in the Red Sea since the Council last met on the crisis.

He said the repercussions of military escalations and threats to maritime navigation is of serious concern that could impact “millions in Yemen, the region, and globally.”

He noted that there have been well over 20 attacks on international shipping by Houthi rebels in Yemen along the crucial international shipping lanes of the Red Sea, since the 7 October attacks by Hamas led to Israel’s devastating offensive.

The Houthi rebel movement controls the capital and large swathes of the country, including the Red Sea coast.

They began targeting what they believe to be Israel-bound vessels in mid-November after first launching missile and drone attacks against Israel, in support of extremist group Hamas.

They have widened their aim to all international shipping companies, until Israel allows full humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza, causing many to divert their ships far to the south around the Cape of Good Hope, incurring extra costs and adding extra days, driving up costs.

Khairi said with tensions and concern over regional spillover also rising after the assassination of Hamas’s deputy leader and other commanders in Beirut on Tuesday.

Iran has also reportedly rejected calls from the US and the UK to end its support for the attacks by Houthi rebels.

According to media reports an Iranian destroyer crossed into the Red Sea on Monday, while a US-led multinational task force was formed on 18 December in a bid to counter the Houthi attacks.

Security Council issued a press statement on 1 December addressed the Houthi threat condemned the attacks “in the strongest terms”.

They called for the immediate release of the Japanese registered MV Galaxy Leader which was seized by rebels on 19 November.