Final Communiqué of the Meeting of Permanent Representatives on Houthi militias’ aggression on two Saudi oil tankers and their targeting of maritime navigation and international trade in Bab Al-Mandab strait in the Red Sea
Date: 08/08/2018
At the request of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Permanent Representatives held a meeting on Wednesday, August 8, 2018 at the headquarters of the General Secretariat of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah to discuss the Houthi militias’ aggression on two Saudi oil tankers and their targeting of maritime navigation and international trade in Bab Al-Mandab strait in the Red Sea.
The meeting condemned in the strongest terms the aggression by the Iran-backed Houthi militias on two Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea after crossing Bab al-Mandab strait. The aggression constitutes a flagrant violation of all international laws and norms and a serious threat to international navigation. It also causes considerable damage to the freedom of international maritime navigation in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea.
The meeting affirmed that these heinous attacks are perpetrated amid similar terrorist operations by Iran-backed putschist Houthi militias against international maritime traffic and international trade, and the planting of hundreds of naval mines intended to cause damage to the interests of the countries of the region and the entire world, in total disregard for the possible disastrous environmental and economic repercussions of oil spills in Bab al-Mandab and the Red Sea areas.
The Meeting called on the international community to condemn these attacks and to counter all serious terrorist acts carried out by the Yemeni putschist militias in Yemen and all those supporting and financing them, to ensure the necessary protection for international navigation in the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb and to take serious and effective steps to prevent the recurrence of such aggressions in the future.
The Meeting expressed full solidarity with Saudi Arabia in all the measures it takes to protect its resources, security and stability. It affirmed support for the efforts of the Coalition in Support of Legitimacy in Yemen aimed at taking all necessary measures to ensure the safety and security of maritime navigation and trade in Bab Al Mandab and the Red Sea.
The Meeting called upon the Security Council to take all possible measures to ensure the prompt and full implementation of Security Council resolutions 2216 and 2231 to prevent the escalation of Houthi attacks, which increased regional tensions and the dangers of regional confrontation. It called on the Council to hold the Houthi militias and their Iranian sponsors accountable for their countless crimes against international law.
The meeting took note of the recent report of the UNSC Panel of Experts on Yemen regarding Iran’s supplying of Houthi militias with ballistic missiles and weapons in flagrant violation of the relevant Security Council resolutions; and called on the Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security and to hold Iran accountable for violating its resolutions.
The meeting called for the need for Houthis militias to withdraw from the city and port of Al-Hudaydah.
The meeting commended the significant efforts exerted by the Coalition countries led by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to alleviate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It praised their support for international humanitarian and relief efforts to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people and commended the launching by the coalition countries of the Comprehensive Humanitarian Operations Plan in Yemen and the coalition’s contribution to financing those operations. It also commended the great efforts made for the delivery of humanitarian assistance to those in need and to facilitate their transit and address the Houthis’ threats to humanitarian corridors.
The Meeting condemned the rejection by the Iran-backed Houthi militias of the UN’s proposals to increase commercial and humanitarian shipments through the Red Sea ports, including the new arrangements for the management of the port of Al-Hudaydah``, which would improve the humanitarian situation in Yemen.
The Meeting requested the Secretary General to take all measures to communicate this report to the United Nations and to regional organizations and to report thereon to the next Ministerial Meeting.
