The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has welcomed the statement by the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) condemning the attack by the Houthi militia and Saleh group on its civilian aid ship 'Swift' near Bab Al Mandab. "This condemnation from the international community represents a clear stand against the irresponsible practices of the Houthi militias and the Saleh group who have violated international norms and conventions with regard to ensuring marine navigation on international waterways and free access to vessels carrying humanitarian aid," Dr. Anwar bin Mohammed Gargash, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said in a statement on Wednesday The world is aware of the risks posed by such acts, especially at Bab Al Mandab, which is an important and strategic artery for the global economy, he added. The Houthi militias and Saleh group's acts are illegitimate as they do not respect international law, Dr. Gargash noted. "The recurrence of such attacks and targeting of the civilian ship proves that the militias are against any political settlement of the Yemen crisis, which they know can reduce their real size that has increased at gunpoint and through the use of violence," he added. The UAE minister said that the UNSC's calls for immediate cessation of such attacks "is a strong message that the world's patience is wearing thin toward the Houthi militias and Saleh group's intransigence, and their tireless efforts to derail international efforts to restore peace in Yemen." He thanked the Gulf Cooperation Council for Arab States, the League of Arab States and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Arab and Muslim countries, as well as regional and international organisations, for condemning the attack on the UAE ship. These condemnations also prove that the world will not condone threats to international marine navigation or impede free access of humanitarian aid to the Yemenis, Dr. Gargash said.
