Security Council Press Statement on Yemen

The following Security Council press statement was issued today by Council President Vitaly Churkin (Russian Federation):

The members of the Security Council strongly condemned an attack by Houthi forces on a United Arab Emirates vessel operating near Bab al-Mandeb on 1 October.

The members of the Security Council take threats to shipping around Bab al-Mandeb, a strategically important shipping passage, extremely seriously and stressed that the continued exercise of freedom of navigation in and around Bab al-Mandeb strait in accordance with relevant international law must be upheld.

The members of the Security Council called for such attacks to cease immediately and urged necessary steps to be taken to de-escalate the situation.

The members of the Security Council reiterated their support to the Special Envoy to pursue his efforts to find a political solution to the conflict in Yemen.

To support the consultations of the Special Envoy, and avoid further loss of life, the members of the Security Council urged all parties to recommit to and fully respect the terms and conditions of the Cessation of Hostilities entered into on 10 April, which will include a complete halt to ground and air military activities.  The Council called on all sides to resume working through the De-Escalation and Coordination Committee to facilitate the strengthening of the Cessation of Hostilities.