UNITED NATIONS: The United Nations raised the alarm on Wednesday (Jan 10) over increasing attacks on shipping in the Red Sea, blamed by Western countries on Houthi rebels, and the danger of escalation within the area.
Intensifying assaults by Yemen’s Houthi rebels within the Pink Sea have brought on delivery corporations to bypass the route and as a substitute divert round Africa’s Cape of Good Hope, considerably including to journey instances and price.
“We proceed to be very involved concerning the scenario within the Pink Sea, not solely due to the scenario itself, and the dangers that it causes to world commerce and to the surroundings and to lives but additionally the danger of the escalation of the broader battle within the Center East,” mentioned UN Secretary-Normal Antonio Guterres’ spokesman Stephane Dujarric.
The UN Safety Council is anticipated to vote on a decision later Wednesday demanding the Houthis cease focusing on maritime visitors within the Pink Sea.
The decision “condemns within the strongest phrases the no less than two dozen Houthi assaults on service provider and industrial vessels since Nov 19, 2023, when the Houthis attacked and seized the Galaxy Chief and its crew”, in keeping with the draft textual content seen by AFP.
It additionally “calls for that the Houthis instantly stop all such assaults, which impede world commerce and undermine navigational rights and freedoms in addition to regional peace and safety”.