UNSC: Resolution 2722 concerning attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea

On 10 January 2024 the UN Security Council Resolution (UNSC) adopted Resolution 2722 (2024) concerning Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels in the Red Sea (voting: 11-0-4 (Algeria, China, Mozambique & Russian Federation abstaining)). Amongst others, Resolution 2722 (2024):

1. Condemns in the strongest terms the at least two dozen Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels since November 19, 2023, when the Houthis attacked and seized the Galaxy Leader and its crew;
2. Demands that the Houthis immediately cease all such attacks, which impede global commerce and undermine navigational rights and freedoms as well as regional peace and security, and further demands that the Houthis immediately release the Galaxy Leader and its crew;
3. Affirms the exercise of navigational rights and freedoms by merchant and commercial vessels, in accordance with international law, must be respected, and takes note of the right of Member States, in accordance with international law, to defend their vessels from attacks, including those that undermine navigational rights and freedoms;

Resolution 2722 (2024) concerning Houthi attacks on merchant and commercial vessels

This follows the UNSC previously condemning Houthi attacks on merchant shipping in a Press Statement of 1 December 2023 (SC/15513), followed by further multilateral condemnation e.g. Joint Statement (19 December 2023). See further the Statement of IMO Secretary-General on the adoption of Resolution 2722 (2024) and previous Statement of 19 December 2023.

On related but distinct developments, see the establishment of Operation Prosperity Guardian (2) under the Combined Maritime Forces umbrella (18 December 2023); Djibouti Code of Conduct: Call for action on attacks against International Shipping in the Red Sea (7 January 2024); and the conduct of joint strikes by 10 States “against a number of targets in Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen” “in accordance with the inherent right of individual and collective self-defense” (Joint Statement, 11 January 2024 (2); including Statement of Spokesperson for the Secretary-General).