Russia rejects use of force to influence Yemeni parties: UN envoy

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
23 Jul 2024 22:47
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The Chinese Ambassador to the UN indicates that "tensions in the Red Sea are a sombre manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict."

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Vasily Nebenzya, permanent representative of the Russian Federation and president of the Security Council for the month of July, chairs the Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East (Yemen), on July 23, 2024. (UN photo)

Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Vasily Nebenzya, criticized on Tuesday the role of certain countries, particularly the United States and its allies, in fueling the situation instead of calming the tensions in Yemen.

Nebenzya said during a UN Security Council meeting that the United States and its allies preferred to use force first, adding that the coalition led by the US and Britain, which carried out aggression against Yemen, has been exposed.

"Some States — instead of working to calm the situation — are trying to put out the fire with fuel and prioritizing the use of force," he said, stressing that these Western countries should focus on ending the war on Gaza and promoting an intra-Yemeni settlement.

At the same time, Russia has consistently advocated for the need to ensure the "safety and security of international navigation and condemn any actions that threaten the safety of ships," he pointed out.

The Russian diplomat noted that nearly six months of American and British strikes on Yemen have "failed to impair" the capabilities of the Yemeni Armed Forces, citing the YAF's drone attack that targeted the occupied city of Yafa [Tel Aviv] as clear evidence.

Nebenzya added that the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement has, in fact, strengthened its regional presence, increased its attacks on ships, and boosted its popularity following the strike on Tel Aviv.

He explained that Yemen's targeting of Tel Aviv and "Israel's" following strike on Hodeidah are fundamentally linked to the situation in the Gaza Strip, adding that the connection between what is happening in Gaza and the Red Sea is clear and denying it is a significant mistake.

He also called for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Moscow concerned about humanitarian situation in Yemen

In a related context, the Russian envoy expressed Moscow's concern about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, noting that the agricultural sector has been the most affected amid a significant shortage of UN programs funding in the country.

Nebenzya asserted that the blockade, sanctions, and use of force have only strengthened the Yemeni Ansar Allah movement, as shown by the recent attack on Tel Aviv.

Elsewhere, he stressed that it is wrong to continue the blind Western support for "Israel".

In the same vein, Chinese Ambassador to the UN Fu Cong said that Beijing has called for a full and effective implementation of UN Security Council resolutions on Yemen and the promotion of an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Fu indicated that "tensions in the Red Sea are a sombre manifestation of the spillover of the Gaza conflict," calling for the promotion of an immediate ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave.

The Chinese diplomat also urged all parties to avoid escalation.