France, which holds the rotating presidency for January, said the emergency meeting had been requested by Russia, and that it would take place after a previously scheduled meeting on the situation in Gaza.

US and British forces struck rebel-held Yemen earlier today after weeks of disruptive attacks on Red Sea shipping by the Iran-backed Houthis, who say they are acting in solidarity with Gaza.

On Wednesday, the Security Council adopted a resolution demanding an “immediate” halt to the Houthis’ attacks, noting the right of member states to defend ships against such attacks.

Russia and China abstained from the vote, which passed 11-0.

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, said at the time that Moscow was concerned by the situation in the Red Sea, but also “concerned that the United States and their allies prefer, as on many occasions in the past, to choose a path of unilateral solution by force.”

The US, UK and eight other nations referred to the Security Council resolution in a joint statement issued after the overnight strikes on Yemen.