New York: Europe and the Arabs
Khaled Khiari, Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, warned of the dire political, security, economic and humanitarian consequences of the military escalation in the Red Sea and the risk of exacerbating regional tensions. This is according to what was stated in the daily United Nations news bulletin, a copy of which we received on Thursday morning
Before a meeting held by the UN Security Council to discuss international peace and security in the Red Sea, Khiari said that the continued threats by the Houthis to maritime navigation, in addition to the risk of further military escalation, raise grave concerns and may affect millions in Yemen, the region and the world.
The UN official in the Department of Political Affairs, Peacebuilding and Peace Operations indicated that the Houthis have claimed responsibility for two attacks in the Red Sea using naval missiles, since the last time the Security Council examined this situation on December 18.
He said that reports indicate that other Houthi attacks were intercepted. He added that Maersk - a giant company working in the field of shipping - announced yesterday that it would once again stop its shipping operations through the Red Sea until further notice.
"A call to stop attacks in the Red Sea"
Khaled Khiari stated that the United Nations shares the concern of the Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization about the need to protect maritime navigation and the potential effects of the current attacks and disruption of maritime traffic in the Red Sea and its surrounding areas on international trade.
Khiari reiterated the need to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation in the region. In this context, he called for the immediate release of the ship Galaxy Leader and its crew, who were detained by the Houthis on November 19.
He said that such incidents from Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen must stop. He added: "There are no goals or grievances that can justify the continuation of these attacks on freedom of navigation."
Regarding the general situation in the region, the UN official encouraged all parties concerned to avoid further escalation and to calm tensions and threats. He said that this is important for navigation through the Red Sea to return to normal and to avoid Yemen being dragged into a regional disaster.
He stressed the importance of the UN Security Council's continued engagement with all concerned parties that may be able to push for restraint.
Safety of seafarers and supply chains
Arsenio Dominguez, Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization, condemned - in his speech before the Security Council - the attacks on ships in the Red Sea. He pointed out that a number of attacks had occurred since the beginning of November on international ships sailing on this vital sea route, through which 15% of international shipping trade passes.
He added: "The initial target was ships with ties to Israel, but the information we received during recent incidents indicates that this is no longer the case at the present time." Dominguez stressed the need to ensure the safety and security of international supply chains and allow ships to navigate in various parts of the world without obstacles and in line with international law.
He said - via video conference - that a large number of shipping companies, estimated at about 18, decided to change the course of their ships to avoid being exposed to attacks and the expected effects on sailors. He added that this adds 10 days to those sea trips and increases shipping prices. He renewed his call for de-escalation to ensure the safety of sailors, freedom of navigation, and the stability of supply chains.