The UN Security Council condemned on Friday the Iran-backed Houthi militias for hijacking a United Arab Emirates-flagged cargo vessel early this month.
In a statement, the 15-member UN body denounced the Houthi seizure of Rwabee, demanded the immediate release of the vessel and its crew and underscored the necessity of ensuring the crew’s safety and well-being until their release.
The UAE-flagged ship was hijacked by the militias off the coast of Hodeidah in early January. The Rwabee was a civilian cargo vessel that was carrying equipment used at a field hospital. It was travelling on an international route.
The Security Council members also called on all sides to resolve the issue quickly and underlined the importance of freedom of navigation in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea, in accordance with international law.
They recalled their condemnation of the increasing number of incidents off the coast of Yemen, including attacks on civilian and commercial ships, which pose a significant risk to the maritime security of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea.
“The members of the Security Council urged all parties to de-escalate the situation in Yemen and to engage constructively with the United Nations Special Envoy in order to return to inclusive political talks,” the statement added.
