Following further attacks by the Yemeni Houthis on merchant ships in the Red Sea in recent days and the subsequent military strikes by the United States and the United Kingdom, the UN Security Council met today for an emergency meeting. In the Security Council, Switzerland emphasised that these recent developments were worrying and increased the risk of a regional escalation.
Two days ago, the Security Council adopted a resolution calling for greater maritime security and strict compliance with rights and freedoms of navigation in accordance with international law. Switzerland supported the resolution because it expresses the Council's concern about the situation in the region and calls on the Houthis to immediately cease their attacks on ships in the Red Sea.
Today in New York, Switzerland emphasised its legal assessment of the resolution – just as it did after the vote on 10 January: The right to take military action mentioned in the relevant article of the resolution is limited to intercepting attacks on merchant vessels and warships. This therefore only refers to the protection of a ship under attack and its crew. In this context, any military operation that goes beyond the immediate need to protect vessels and persons would be disproportionate and not covered by the resolution.
Switzerland is concerned about the military strikes carried out by the British-American coalition. The incidents in the Red Sea are already having a negative impact on maritime traffic and international trade. However, the precarious situation of the civilian population in Yemen and the region, which is dependent on vital humanitarian aid by sea, could also be further exacerbated if hostilities continue. In view of this, Switzerland called on all parties and actors in the Red Sea and the surrounding region in the Security Council to exercise caution and restraint and to strictly adhere to international law. This with the aim of avoiding a regional escalation. In the long term, only a lasting peace in Yemen that includes all the actors involved will guarantee security in the Red Sea.
Statement by Switzerland on the situation in the Red Sea, UN Security Council, 12.01.2024
