The UN Security Council has passed a resolution calling for an end to attacks by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen on merchant ships in the Red Sea. The document adopted in New York on Wednesday condemns the attacks and calls for their “immediate cessation.” 11 countries voted in favour – Russia, China, Algeria and Mozambique abstained. The vote was postponed by a few hours at short notice because Russia had tabled several amendments, all of which were rejected. Since the outbreak of the Gaza war between Israel and the Islamist militant organization Hamas, the Houthis have repeatedly attacked…