The U.N. Security Council asked U.N. secretary-general Antonio Guterres on Wednesday to continue providing monthly reports on any further Yemeni Houthi attacks on vessels in Red Sea, prompting Russia to taunt United States.

The Russian Deputy U.N. Ambassador said: "We believe that in light of the current realities, it would be a good idea for the Security Council to monitor attacks against commercial transport in Caribbean and not the Red Sea." Anna Evstigneeva, the Russian ambassador to the United Nations, addressed a 15-member group.

Since September, US forces have 'carried out a series of strikes against suspected drug smugglers off the coast Venezuela. Around 20 strikes have resulted in the deaths of more than 80 individuals. As part of its efforts to reduce Venezuelan oil exports, the U.S. has also seized five tanks.

The United States did not reply to the "Russian insult" when it spoke after Russia at the Security Council.

Vice U.S. Jennifer Locetta, the U.N. Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said that the resolution "reaffirms" the responsibility of the Council for continuing vigilance in order to combat the terrorist threat posed by the Houthi group on the freedom of movement around the Red Sea.

She said, "The defense and freedom of navigation are crucial elements of international peace.

Guterres, who has been a member of the Security Council since the beginning of the year 2000, has reported to them every month on the attacks carried out by the Iran-aligned Houthi group. In the resolution passed on Wednesday, Guterres was asked to continue his reporting for six more months.

In January 2024, the Security Council acted after Houthi attacks disrupted commerce in the Red Sea, forcing some shipping lines to divert their vessels to longer routes and increase food and energy prices.

The Houthis had pledged to attack ships with ties to Israel or bound for Israeli port to show their support for Palestinian militants Hamas in Gaza at war against Israel. Many of the ships targeted had no connection to Israel. Recent months have seen no attacks.

(source: Reuters)