Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea must stop: UK statement at the UN Security Council
Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Yemen.
Thank you President, and I thank Assistant-Secretary-General Khiari for his briefing.聽
The United Kingdom and this Council have聽consistently condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and unjustified attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi militants.聽
On 9 January, the Houthis attacked UK and US naval vessels. Last night, we took聽limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence聽alongside the United States, with the non-operational support of the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia. The United Kingdom鈥檚 Royal Air Force聽carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen.聽This operation took particular care to minimise risks to civilians.
Since November, the Houthis have launched over 100 drone and missile attacks against vessels from a range of countries, putting innocent lives at risk, threatening the global economy, and destabilising the region. This has continued despite this Council鈥檚 demand in resolution 2722, adopted earlier this week, that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks.聽聽
Let me be clear. The attacks by Houthis on vessels in the Red Sea must stop. We have made this clear to the Houthis, and we call on them to deescalate.
The United Kingdom is committed to continue working with the international community, and this Council, to combat this international threat.
聽We have published a summary of our legal position on last night鈥檚 strikes and have reported to the Council in writing in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.聽
President, we remain committed to ensuring the freedom of navigation, which is protected by international law, and to defending聽international trade. It is in all our interests to work together to de-escalate tensions in the region.聽聽
Thank you, President.