France reiterates its condemnation of the attacks carried out by the Houthis against commercial ships in the Red Sea, which undermine navigational rights and freedoms, and it demands that the Houthis end them immediately. Through these armed actions, the Houthis bear a very heavy responsibility for regional escalation.
Through its Resolution 2722, the Security Council stated on 10 January 2024 that the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms must be respected and that States have the right to respond to these attacks, in accordance with international law.
France will continue shouldering its responsibilities and contributing to maritime security in the area in conjunction with its partners, as it was called to do on 9 and 11 December 2023 when the Languedoc frigate was engaged to destroy drones.
Source – French Government
Houthi attacks on vessels in the Red Sea must stop: UK statement at the UN Security Council
London, 12 January 2024
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.
The United Kingdom and this Council have consistently condemned, in the strongest terms, the illegal and unjustified attacks in the Red Sea by the Houthi militants.
On 9 January, the Houthis attacked UK and US naval vessels. Last night, we took limited, necessary and proportionate action in self-defence alongside the United States, with the non-operational support of the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain and Australia. The United Kingdom’s Royal Air Force carried out targeted strikes against military facilities used by Houthi rebels in Yemen. 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’s demand in resolution 2722, adopted earlier this week, that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks.
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.
We have published a summary of our legal position on last night’s strikes and have reported to the Council in writing in accordance with Article 51 of the UN Charter.
President, we remain committed to ensuring the freedom of navigation, which is protected by international law, and to defending international trade. It is in all our interests to work together to de-escalate tensions in the region.
Thank you, President.