Security Council
Committee Topics
Addressing the Conflict in Yemen and the Red Sea
Chair reports coming soon
The conflict in Yemen has recently eased, with renewed talks between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi rebels bolstered by Saudi-Iran normalization efforts. However, progress toward peace remains limited because of the continuance of sporadic violence. The Southern Transitional Council (STC) complicates negotiations by pushing for an independent southern state, while al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) has intensified attacks in the south. Meanwhile, the humanitarian crisis remains severe, with 21.6 million people—nearly two-thirds of the population—relying on aid, including 11 million children, and more than 4.5 million displaced. Recent geopolitical tensions have further destabilized the region, with the Houthis launching drone and missile attacks on Red Sea shipping in retaliation for Israel's war on Hamas, hijacking vessels and disrupting global trade routes. This escalation prompted U.S. and U.K. airstrikes on Houthi targets in January 2024. Although diplomatic efforts continue, the situation remains fragile, with rising fears of prolonged conflict, worsening humanitarian conditions, and economic instability.
The Situation in Myanmar
Chair reports coming soon
In late October 2023, three ethnic armed groups in Myanmar launched a coordinated offensive against the military junta, marking the most significant challenge to its rule since the February 2021 coup. Insurgents used drones to attack military and police outposts across the Kayah, Rakhine, and Shan states, intensifying conflict in regions bordering Thailand, India, and China. Myanmar has long struggled with ethnic divisions and governance since gaining independence in 1948, with the military (Tatmadaw) maintaining control for much of its history. The junta's violent repression of minorities, particularly the Rohingya, has drawn international condemnation, especially after a brutal 2017 crackdown forced over 700,000 Rohingya to flee to Bangladesh. Following the 2021 coup, protests erupted nationwide, but the military's lethal response has only served to exacerbate the conflict and deepen unrest. Out of this ongoing conflict rises exigent humanitarian crises, especially for displaced Rohingya refugees living in overcrowded, underserved camps in Bangladesh, further destabilizing the region.