The US and UK’s military strikes against the Houthis in Yemen have been met with controversy, with Iran labeling them a blatant breach of international law and the UN Charter. The US and UK justified their actions under the right to self-defense, citing UN Security Council Resolution 2722(2024) and claiming to ensure freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. However, experts argue that the resolution does not provide a clear justification for the use of force, and the applicability of the right to self-defense is disputed.
There are several issues with the US and UK’s justification for their actions:
– Threshold Problem: The attacks by the Houthis on ships and vessels in the Red Sea do not necessarily meet the required intensity to qualify as an armed attack.
– Non-State Actor Problem: The question remains whether attacks by non-state actors, like the Houthis, can trigger the right to self-defense.
– Attacks on Ships Problem: The distinction between naval and commercial vessels is crucial, as attacks on commercial vessels are not considered quasi-territorial extensions of their home states.
Furthermore, the US and UK have not provided clear evidence of Yemen’s consent for their military strikes, which raises questions about the legality of their actions. Iran and other countries have expressed concerns about the strikes, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of international law and the UN Charter.
