UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks on Saudi Arabia and International Shipping

The United Nations Security Council has condemned an escalating wave of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia and international shipping in the Red Sea, warning that the threat of Yemen relapsing into full-scale war is at its gravest level in four years.

Hans Grundberg, the UN's special envoy for Yemen, briefed the council on Thursday and cited intensified fighting on multiple fronts and renewed Houthi attacks on commercial shipping as evidence of this risk. He noted that a missile strike on a vessel two days ago killed several members of its crew, and tensions had been building since July when an unauthorized flight from Tehran bound for Sanaa prompted airstrikes on Sanaa International Airport, followed by missile attacks on Abha airport and Saudi oil facilities.

The UK's deputy permanent representative to the UN, Kate Foster, echoed these concerns, saying that 'reckless Houthi actions' were driving the escalation. She warned that Iran 'must cease its long-standing support for the Houthis, which threatens Yemen's stability.' The US alternate representative for special political affairs, Jennifer Locetta, also accused the Houthis of a 'systematic campaign to protect regional power and disrupt critical corridors,' including targeting Saudi airports with drones and injuring civilians.

The council members emphasized the need for an immediate deescalation, a halt to cross-border attacks and threats against international shipping, and protection of freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. They also called on Iran to end its support for the Houthis.