Daily Brief 11 Jan 2024
The United Nations Security Council (UNSC) adopted the US draft resolution condemning the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea. Four countries, including Russia, China and Algeria, abstained. Earlier, the UNSC rejected three Russian proposals to amend the text of the draft resolution, including the one that mentioned the conflict between Palestine and Israel as the reason behind the recent escalation in the Red Sea. The document, authored by the United States and Japan, "condemns in the strongest terms" the Houthi attacks on commercial vessels since last November and demands that Yemen’s Houthis immediately end their attacks. Russia had proposed adding the phrase "in particular, the conflict in the Gaza Strip" to the provision that calls for the need to "address the primary reasons, including conflicts that increase regional tensions."
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday that the Houthis in Yemen can expect consequences after their latest drone and missile attack against shipping in the Red Sea. The Iran-backed Houthi group said it would continue to attack vessels, even as the UN Security Council adopted a resolution demanding a halt to such actions. On Wednesday, the Houthis claimed responsibility for firing a barrage of drones and rockets a US Navy ship.The US and its allies have repeatedly warned the Houthis that such attacks will not go unanswered. Blinken said in Bahrain."If this continues, as it did yesterday, there will be consequences."
Communications cable being laid between Oman and Australia goes via the UK’s military base at Diego Garcia Britain likely to use Oman as a launchpad for operations against Houthis in Yemen, according to Declassified website. A base for British spies near Iran has undergone major construction work over the last two years, according to the source. Satellite imagery shows a flurry of building work took place at a GCHQ site in Oman, located between Iran and Yemen.The source said that the site is likely to be playing a key role in a region where Britain seeks to counter Yemen’s Houthi movement and Iranian authorities.
On Wednesday, Algeria abstained from voting on a draft resolution condemning Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea at the United Nations Security Council.During the voting session, Algeria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations stated that the Algerian delegation actively collaborated with the sponsors of the resolution. Their aim was to enable the Security Council to address maritime security in the Red Sea without overlooking the evident link between Houthi attacks on commercial ships and the situation in Gaza over the past three months. The Algerian diplomat also warned against the consequences of any military intervention in the region, especially in Yemen, emphasizing the need for utmost caution, particularly in dealing with the Houthi group .
