Russia has called on the Houthi group, designated as a terrorist organization by numerous countries, to cease obstructing international freedom of navigation, while demanding that all international actors "respect Yemen's sovereignty."

This call was made by Dmitry Polyanskiy, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia to the United Nations, during a UN Security Council meeting on Yemen on Thursday, August 15, 2024.

In his speech, reported by the Russian news agency TASS and seen by “Barran Press,” Polyanskiy stated: "We call on the Houthis to cease any actions that hinder international freedom of navigation and to release the Galaxy Leader ship and its crew. At the same time, we demand that all international actors respect Yemen's sovereignty."

He added: "Aggressive actions against targets on the territory of this country, such as the strikes launched by the so-called Western coalition from the Red Sea, not only blatantly violate international law, including the UN Charter, but also contribute to a spiral of escalation with unpredictable consequences."

The UN Security Council is currently holding its monthly open session and closed consultations on Yemen. The meeting is expected to focus primarily on the Houthi group's detention of 13 Yemeni employees from various UN agencies and offices, as well as over 50 workers from NGOs and civil society organizations, since June.

Several speakers at today's meeting are also expected to express concern about the destabilizing effects on Yemen caused by regional tensions.

Last month's regular Yemen meeting took place a day after the Council convened to discuss the Houthi drone attack on Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 19, and Israel's retaliatory strikes on July 20 in and around the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.

While the Yemen file enjoys relative unity among Council members, divisions have emerged over the Red Sea crisis. Members of the P3 group (France, the United Kingdom, and the United States) have criticized the Houthis' destabilizing actions, while Council members such as Algeria, China, and Russia have stressed that ending the conflict in Gaza is crucial for resolving the Red Sea crisis and preventing further regional escalation.