MOSCOW, Jan 12 (Reuters) – Russia on Friday scolded the United States and Britain for military strikes on Yemen which Moscow said escalated tensions across the Middle East and showed a complete disregard for international law.
Russia also called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to discuss the issue.
“The U.S. air strikes on Yemen are another example of the Anglo-Saxons’ perversion of UN Security Council resolutions,” Maria Zakharova, Russia’s foreign ministry spokeswoman, said.
Zakharova said the strikes showed a “complete disregard for international law” and were “escalating the situation in the region”.
The British government on Friday published a summary of its legal advice, which said its decision to strike Houthi military targets in Yemen was justified under international law.
“The UK is permitted under international law to use force in such circumstances where acting in self-defence is the only feasible means to deal with an actual or imminent armed attack and where the force used is necessary and proportionate,” the document said.
The document was titled ‘Summary of the UK Government Legal Position: The legality of UK military action to target Houthi facilities in Yemen’ and was published on the government website.
The British government will notify the United Nations Security Council of the actions it has taken, it added.
The United States and Britain launched strikes from the air and sea against Houthi military targets in Yemen in response to the movement’s attacks on ships in the Red Sea, a dramatic regional widening of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
A spokesman for Yemen’s Houthis said there was no justification for the U.S.-British attack and said the Iran-backed group will continue targeting ships heading towards Israel.
Saudi Arabia calls for restraint
Saudi Arabia called for restraint and “avoiding escalation” in light of the air strikes launched by the United States and Britain against sites linked to the Houthi movement in Yemen, the kingdom’s foreign ministry said on Friday.
Saudi Arabia, which has in recent months engaged in peace talks with Yemen’s Houthis, was closely monitoring the situation with “great concern,” the foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The kingdom emphasizes the importance of maintaining the security and stability of the Red Sea region, as the freedom of navigation in it is an international demand,” the ministry added.
The Houthi movement, an Iran-aligned group that controls much of Yemen after nearly a decade of war against a Western-backed and Saudi-led coalition, has emerged as a strong supporter of the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in its war against Israel.
The group has been attacking commercial ships it says are linked to Israel or bound for Israeli ports.
The chief negotiator for the Houthis, Mohammed Abdulsalam, said on Thursday the group’s attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea do not threaten its peace talks with Saudi Arabia.
Other Reactions to US, British strikes against Houthis in Yemen
IRAN’S FOREIGN MINISTRY SPOKESMAN NASSER KANNANI:
“These attacks are a clear violation of Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity, and a breach of international laws.
These attacks will only contribute to insecurity and instability in the region.”
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan:
Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on Friday slammmed the U.S. and British strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen as a disproportionate use of force and accused the two countries of trying to turn the Red Sea into a “sea of blood”.
Speaking to reporters in Istanbul after Friday prayers, Erdogan said Ankara was hearing from various channels that Houthi forces were carrying out a “successful defence” against the United States and Britain.
IRAN-BACKED HEZBOLLAH GROUP IN A STATEMENT:
“The American aggression confirms once again that the U.S. is a full partner in the tragedies and massacres committed by the Zionist enemy in Gaza and the region.”
DUTCH PRIME MINISTER MARK RUTTE
“The U.S.-British action is based on the right of self-defence, aims to protect free passage and is focused on de-escalation. The Netherlands, with its long history as a sea-faring country, places significant importance on the right of free passage and supports this targeted operation.”
U.S. SENATOR SUSAN COLLINS, REPUBLICAN, MAINE
“Iran and its proxies must understand that repeated attacks on U.S. troops and the disruption of critical sea lanes will not be tolerated.
“The United States does not seek an escalation of violence in the region, but we must deter attacks on our troops, and the freedom of navigation that is essential for global trade must be restored.”
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE GREGORY MEEKS, DEMOCRAT, NEW YORK
“While I support these targeted, proportional military strikes, I call on the Biden Administration to continue its diplomatic efforts to avoid escalation to a broader regional war and continue to engage Congress on the details of its strategy and legal basis as required by law.”
U.S. SENATE REPUBLICAN LEADER MITCH MCCONNELL
“I welcome the U.S. and coalition operations against the Iran-backed Houthi terrorists responsible for violently disrupting international commerce in the Red Sea and attacking American vessels. President Biden’s decision to use military force against these Iranian proxies is overdue. I am hopeful these operations mark an enduring shift in the Biden Administration’s approach to Iran and its proxies.”
U.S. SENATOR ROGER WICKER, REPUBLICAN, MISSISSIPPI
“This strike was two months overdue, but it is a good first step toward restoring deterrence in the Red Sea.
“It is time to dispense with the hollow talk of ‘joint resolutions’ and ‘maritime task forces.’ This strike should be a warning to the Houthis and other Iranian proxies that they will suffer catastrophic consequences from escalation in the region.”
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE RO KHANNA, DEMOCRAT, CALIFORNIA
“The President needs to come to Congress before launching a strike against the Houthis in Yemen and involving us in another Middle East conflict. That is Article I of the Constitution. I will stand up for that regardless of whether a Democrat or Republican is in the White House.”
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE VAL HOYLE, DEMOCRAT, OREGON
“These airstrikes have not been authorized by Congress. The Constitution is clear: Congress has the sole authority to authorize military involvement in overseas conflicts. Every president must first come to Congress and ask for military authorization, regardless of party.”
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE JASON CROW, DEMOCRAT, COLORADO
“I would not support us being pulled into a broader war.”
U.S. REPRESENTATIVE MARK POCAN, DEMOCRAT, WISCONSIN
“The United States cannot risk getting entangled into another decades-long conflict without Congressional authorization. The White House must work with Congress before continuing these airstrikes in Yemen.”
