U.N. Security Council on Wednesday called on Yemen’s Houthis to stop their attacks on shipping in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In a statement, the council said it is illegal and threatens regional stability, freedom of navigation and global food supplies. Addressing the council’s first formal meeting of 2024, UN members also demanded that the Houthis to release Japanese-operated cargo ship linked to an Israeli company which was seized in November. During the session, the U.S., British and Israeli representatives accused Iran of supporting the Houthi strikes. Some members urged the council to take action to stop the Houthi missile and drone attacks. But the body took no formal steps in the open session before going into closed consultations.
The Iran-aligned Houthis, who control much of Yemen, launched several drones and missiles at more than 20 ships. It said these attacks were in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza, they were targeting vessels with Israeli links or were sailing to Israel. But many vessels have had no Israeli connection and were not bound for Israeli ports. After that major shipping lines have suspended their operations through the Red Sea.