Security Council holds emergency meeting, says there are "alarming" developments, a series of transport ships change direction

On the afternoon of January 3 (New York time), at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, the UN Security Council (UNSC) held an emergency meeting to discuss the consecutive attacks by Houthi gunmen in the Red Sea.

UN headquarters in New York, USA. (Source: THX)

The meeting came after the Security Council noted that recent attacks in the Red Sea posed a growing threat to global trade and regional stability.

Speaking before the Security Council, UN Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East Khaled Khiari said that escalating tensions and threats to maritime activities could have serious consequences and affect "millions of people in Yemen, the region and globally".

There have been alarming developments in the Red Sea since the last time the Security Council met on the crisis, according to UN officials.

Stressing that nothing can justify continued attacks on freedom of navigation, Mr. Khiari urged all parties concerned to avoid escalating tensions and cool down the current situation so as not to affect regional security and international trade activities.

Speaking at the meeting, Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Arsenio Dominguez said that recent information showed that Houthi forces were not only limiting their attack targets to ships related to Israel.

Mr. Dominguez called on all parties to exercise restraint and reduce conflicts "to ensure the safety of vessels in the region, ensure freedom of navigation and stabilize supply chains."

The IMO official added that the organization will continue to monitor the situation in cooperation with member states and partners, along with navies involved in ensuring security at sea.

Also according to the IMO Secretary General, a significant number of companies, about 18 shipping companies, have decided to change the route of their ships to go around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa to minimize attacks.

This will add 10 days to shipping time and negatively impact trade and increase freight rates.

Previously, in early December 2023, the UNSC also issued a joint statement condemning the attacks by Houthi forces in the Red Sea "in the strongest terms".

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/tinh-hinh-bien-do-hdba-hop-khan-noi-co-dien-bien-dang-bao-dong-hang-loat-tau-van-tai-chuyen-huong-256172.html