13-1-2024 (LONDON) The United States and the United Kingdom have defended their recent strikes on Yemen’s Houthis as legal under international law. The two countries presented their case to the UN Security Council, while Russia and China accused them of escalating regional tensions.
The US and UK launched the strikes in response to the Houthi militia’s attacks on Red Sea shipping. The Iran-backed Houthis have been targeting international vessels in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden through drone and missile attacks. Over 2,000 ships have been forced to divert from the Red Sea since November due to these attacks.
During the Security Council debate, Russia criticized the US and UK operation, labeling it disproportionate and illegal. The Russian Ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, argued that while defending commercial shipping is acceptable, bombing another state in a disproportionate and illegal manner is not.
China’s UN envoy, Zhang Jun, stated that the Security Council had not authorized the use of force against Yemen. Jun also expressed concerns about the destruction of infrastructure and civilian casualties resulting from the US and UK strikes, as well as the heightened security risks in the Red Sea.
In defense of the strikes, US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield emphasized that the actions were in accordance with international law and the UN Charter. Thomas-Greenfield stated that the objective of the operation was to disrupt and degrade the Houthis’ ability to carry out further reckless attacks on vessels and commercial shipping. She also added that the United States would continue to pursue a diplomatic response while ensuring the protection of commercial shipping.
British Ambassador Susan Woodward echoed Thomas-Greenfield’s remarks, affirming that the strikes were limited, necessary, and proportionate self-defense measures. Woodward mentioned that the UK received non-operational support from the Netherlands, Canada, Bahrain, and Australia in carrying out the operation.
The US and UK’s defense of their actions comes amid concerns from other countries that the strikes could exacerbate regional tensions, particularly in light of Israel’s offensive against Gaza’s ruling Hamas militants.
