UN Security Council Condemns Houthi Attacks

The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned escalating attacks by Yemeni Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia, in a rare display of unity on Friday.

The top UN body demanded that the Houthis immediately halt military escalations and cease targeting civilians as well as civilian and energy infrastructure.

The rebel offensive is severely disrupting regional energy supplies and maritime trade.

The Houthis have imposed a naval blockade on Saudi Arabia, struck oil tankers, and seized key areas along Yemen’s Red Sea coast.

These actions have triggered a spike in global energy prices and expanded the control of Iran-aligned forces over vital Gulf shipping corridors used for petroleum exports.

Alongside the maritime disruption, Houthi ground campaigns against Saudi-backed government troops are exacerbating an urgent humanitarian emergency.

According to the UN’s humanitarian office, fighting has displaced over 125,000 people across Yemen since early September, forcing thousands to seek safety in neighbouring regions like Djibouti.

Delivering the joint statement, French UN envoy and Council president Jérôme Bonnafont emphasised the need to respect international law, uphold navigation rights under the Law of the Sea, and guarantee unhindered humanitarian access to vulnerable populations.

While Washington and its allies accuse Tehran of arming and guiding the movement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian rejected the claims, asserting that the Houthis operate independently.