Moscow Requests Emergency Session of the UN Security Council

Russia requested today, Friday, to hold an emergency session of the UN Security Council in light of the strikes carried out by the United States and Britain on Yemen. The Telegram channel of the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN stated that "Russia has requested an urgent meeting of the Security Council on January 12 concerning the American and British strikes on Yemen." The UN Security Council had called on Wednesday for an "immediate" halt to Houthi attacks on ships in the Red Sea, also urging all countries to respect the arms embargo imposed on the Iranian-backed Yemeni rebels. The resolution, drafted by the United States and Japan, was adopted by the council with a majority of 11 members, while four members abstained from voting. It "demands that the Houthis immediately put an end" to attacks "that disrupt international trade, undermine navigation rights and freedoms, as well as peace and security in the region." Early Friday morning, the United States and Britain launched a wide-ranging attack on several Yemeni cities targeting Houthi sites. The US and British military struck locations used by the Houthis in a large-scale retaliatory assault using Tomahawk missiles launched from warships and fighter jets, as reported by numerous US officials to news agencies. The spokesperson for the Houthis in Yemen stated that there is no justification for the US-British attack, adding that the Iranian-aligned group will continue to target vessels heading to Israel.