UNSC must condemn Houthi attack on tanker

new york — Saudi Arabia has called on the United Nations Security Council to condemn the Iranian-backed Al Houthi attack on a Saudi oil tanker in international waters west of the port of Al Hudaidah and to hold Al Houthi militias and their Iranian sponsors accountable for their unlimited crimes against international law.

According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) in a letter addressed by its Permanent Mission to UN, the kingdom called upon the Security Council to take all possible measures to ensure the speedy and comprehensive implementation of Security Council resolutions to prevent the escalation of Al Houthi attacks.

The letter said that, “On April 3rd, 2018, the Iranian-backed Al Houthi militia in Yemen attacked a Saudi oil tanker in international waters west of the port of Al Hudaidah. This attack was thwarted by the rapid intervention of a naval ship belonging to the Coalition for the Restoration of Legitimacy in Yemen, resulted in minor damage to the oil tanker, which sailed safely north with a coalition ship.”

“Saudi Arabia condemns in the strongest terms this cowardly attack on the Saudi oil tanker, expressing its deep concern at the threats being posed by the terrorist attacks by Al Houthis on the freedom of maritime and international trade in Bab El Mandab and the Red Sea region.

“Moreover, by launching this failed terrorist attack on the oil tanker, Al Houthi outlaws have also showed their indifference to the potential catastrophic environmental and economic consequences of the oil spill in the Bab Al Mandab and Red Sea areas, therefore, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia calls on the Security Council to condemn this latest terrorist attack carried out by Al Houthis as it calls on the Security Council to hold Al Houthi militias and their Iranian sponsors accountable for their crimes.”

The statement added, “On behalf of the Coalition for the Restoration of Legitimacy in Yemen, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia affirms that the Coalition will continue to take all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and international trade in Bab El Mandab and the Red Sea regions.