NYN | News
Intense activity took place last Friday in the corridors of the UN Security Council, led by Britain with direct support from the United States and France, in an attempt to pass an expanded sanctions draft resolution viewed by Sana’a and regional states as an escalatory step aimed at tightening sanctions on Yemen and widening the scope of the economic and humanitarian blockade on the country.
“Targeting the Political Authority in Sana’a”
The proposed draft resolution reclassifies sanctions so that they are not limited to specific individuals or leaders, but would include Ansar Allah as a governing political entity. This would, in effect, target the Sana’a government and the areas under its control, treating it as a party subject to comprehensive sanctions that could extend to administrative structures and civilian institutions.
“The New Inspection Mechanism… A Step Toward a Full Blockade”
Through the draft, London and Washington seek to replace the UN inspection mechanism in Djibouti with Western international forces supervising everything entering Yemeni ports—including Hodeidah and Aden.
According to observers, this shift opens the door to a full economic blockade covering food, fuel, and medicine, aiming to suffocate what remains of Yemen’s economy after the failure of the military option.
“Condemning Red Sea Operations… Indirect Support for Israel”
The draft resolution includes condemnation of Yemeni operations targeting ships linked to Israel, despite such vessels halting passage since the Gaza ceasefire began.
Analysts consider this condemnation a political stance aligning with Israeli military operations that international organizations and the United Nations have described as amounting to acts of genocide against Palestinian civilians, in disregard of the principles of international humanitarian law.
“The Russian Position: An Unbalanced Text Undermining the Political Track”
Russia abstained from voting, voicing clear reservations and arguing that the text contains “unbalanced and one-sided language” likely to provoke one of the main parties to the Yemeni conflict and undermine chances of progress toward a comprehensive political solution.
Moscow believes that tightening sanctions at this stage could lead to further escalation and make a return to the negotiating table even more complicated.
“The Chinese Position: Concerns Over Militarizing the Red Sea”
China rejected the draft, focusing on the dangers of authorizing international forces to carry out “boarding and maritime inspection operations” in the Red Sea without clear standards or oversight mechanisms.
Beijing considers this step inconsistent with the legal authority of the flag state, threatening freedom of navigation and global trade in one of the world’s most critical waterways, in addition to potentially violating the rights of coastal states and worsening the security situation.
China also stressed that addressing Red Sea tensions cannot be separated from ending the war on Gaza and restoring regional stability—conditions necessary for creating an environment conducive to a political settlement in Yemen.
“Humanitarian Implications of the Resolution”
Rights organizations warned that adopting the draft would have triggered a new humanitarian catastrophe, effectively imposing a far-reaching economic and humanitarian blockade that would deepen suffering and bring back scenes of long lines for gas, fuel, wheat, and medicine in a country already experiencing one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises.
“The Role of Moscow and Beijing in Blocking Escalation”
Russia and China helped prevent the resolution from passing in its current form, curbing what could have been a dangerous attempt to erode what remains of Yemen’s sovereignty. This kept the old sanctions regime in place for another year without expansion or amendment, despite Western pressure.
“Possible Escalation Scenarios”
The path ahead depends largely on U.S. and British behavior, especially as Sana’a continues to abide by the Gaza ceasefire despite Israeli violations and ongoing disregard for international calls to lift the blockade on Yemen and end policies that worsen the humanitarian crisis.
International reports warn that any new escalation could ignite a wide confrontation in the Red Sea, with security and economic repercussions affecting countries across the world.
“Eritrea Steps In”
Eritrean President Isaias Afwerki made a notable statement affirming that Sana’a poses no threat to Red Sea security, placing responsibility for regional instability on global powers with military ambitions. He accused them of building bases and establishing spheres of influence on the islands of Socotra, Mayun, and Zuqar, as well as the Bab al-Mandab Strait, in an effort to expand their military and political footprint.
The attempt to pass the British draft resolution reveals a Western push to reinforce dominance over strategic waterways and impose new realities serving their geopolitical interests, at the expense of the security of Red Sea states and Yemen’s stability.
If the United States and Britain continue using the Security Council to impose unilateral decisions, the region may be heading toward a major confrontation whose cost the entire world will bear, given fragile regional balances and intensifying global rivalries.
