New York, NY: Russia has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council today, January 12th, following coordinated air strikes by the United States and United Kingdom on Houthi positions in Yemen. This comes amidst heightened tensions in the Red Sea and escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip.
The Russian Permanent Mission to the UN announced the request on its Telegram channel, citing the strikes as a violation of international law and a potential escalation of the already volatile situation in the region. The meeting is scheduled for 3:00 PM GMT.
This development follows a recent UN Security Council resolution demanding an immediate end to attacks on ships in the Red Sea. Notably, Russia, along with China, Algeria, and Mozambique, abstained from the vote. This resolution stemmed from threats by the Houthis, who control large parts of Yemen, to target Israeli shipping in retaliation for the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to US Central Command (CENTCOM), over 20 commercial vessels have been attacked in the Red Sea since mid-November, raising concerns about piracy and disruption of vital trade routes. In response, the US launched Operation Prosperity Guardian to ensure maritime safety in the region.
The US and UK strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen represent a significant escalation in the conflict, raising fears of further destabilization and civilian casualties. The Houthis have condemned the attacks as “an act of aggression” and vowed retaliation.