Security Council

7255^th Meeting (AM)

Security Council, in Presidential Statement, Urges Stop to Escalating Campaign

by Yemeni Faction to ‘Bring Down the Government’, Disrupt Transition

 

Condemning the actions of the Houthis in Yemen who overran the city of Amran and the army headquarters there on 8 July, the Security Council this morning called on the faction to withdraw, cease hostilities in the area and remove camps and checkpoints around the country's capital, Sana'a.

In a presidential statement read out by Mark Lyall Grant of the United Kingdom, whose delegation holds the rotating Council presidency for August, Council members noted with concern that the Houthis, led by Abdul Malik al Houthi, and others "continue to stoke the conflict in the north in an attempt to obstruct the political transition", which, they said, had been making progress recently, under President Abd Mansour Hadi, in his efforts to address the concerns of all parties within the framework of the National Dialogue Conference.

The Council recalled that targeted sanctions under resolution 2140 (2014) could be applied to individuals or entities involved in actions that threatened stability in Yemen, and it supported efforts of the Panel of Experts to analyse information on incidents of undermining the political transition in that regard.

It also expressed grave concern about the deterioration of security in Yemen in light of the actions taken in the north and around the capital by the Houthis in what it called "their escalating campaign to bring down the Government" and called on all armed groups to refrain from any action that might exacerbate the situation.

The Council, in addition, condemned the growing number of attacks carried out by Al-Qaida in the Arabian peninsula, expressing determination to address the threat through appropriate use of international law and the relevant sanctions regime.

It also stressed the need for an initial draft of the Yemeni Constitution to be passed to the National Authority review in a timely manner in order to conduct a referendum without delay.  It reiterated the call for credible investigations into human rights violations in the country, in line with the outcomes of the Dialogue Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council mechanism.  Noting the formidable challenges confronting Yemen, it encouraged expedited reforms and implementation of socio-economic plans, and urged all parties to facilitate safe, unhindered access for humanitarian assistance.

Affirming support for all those involved in the next Friends of Yemen meeting planned for 24 September, the Council said it would closely follow the next steps towards the political transition in the country and underscored the need for continued international support, including fulfilment of donor commitments.

Following the readout of that statement, the representative of Yemen, Khaled Bahah, welcomed the united support of the Council for the political transition in his country, and its opposition to those who tried to block it.  The Council supported the aspirations of the Yemeni people who were trying to bring about a State based on human rights and democracy.  The United Nations system as a whole and the Gulf Cooperation Council were exemplary in their support, as well.

He said that the Yemeni Government was working tirelessly to complete the transition, to deal with extremism and terrorism and to improve development conditions.  It also was trying to get all factions to support the outcomes of the national dialogue instead of returning to destructive war.

The meeting began at 11:50 a.m. and ended at 12:03 p.m.

Presidential Statement

The full text of presidential statement S/PRST/2014/18 reads as follows:

“The Security Council welcomes the recent progress in Yemen’s political transition, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, including the recent meeting of the National Authority for Monitoring the Implementation of the National Dialogue Outcomes on 11 August; and the economic reform agenda.  The Security Council supports President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi in his efforts to address the concerns of all parties within the framework of the National Dialogue Conference Outcomes, urging the Yemeni authorities to expedite the process of reforms, including Army and security sector reform.

“The Security Council urges all the parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, refrain from provocation and fully abide by resolutions 2014 (2011), 2051 (2012) and 2140 (2014).  Furthermore, the Security Council calls on all Member States to refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition.

“The members of the Security Council note with concern that the Houthis and others continue to stoke the conflict in the north in an attempt to obstruct the political transition.  The Security Council recalls that resolution 2140 (2014) introduced targeted sanctions measures against individuals or entities engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability in Yemen.  The Security Council supports the efforts of the Panel of Experts in gathering and analysing information regarding the implementation of these measures, in particular incidents of undermining the political transition.

“The Security Council expresses grave concern about the deterioration of the security situation in Yemen in light of the action taken by the Houthis, led by Abdul Malik al Houthi, and those who support them, to undermine the political transition and the security of Yemen.  These actions include their escalating campaign to bring down the Government; establishing camps in and around Sana’a; seeking to supplant the authority of the State by installing checkpoints on strategic routes into Sana’a; as well as ongoing fighting in al Jawf.  The Security Council calls on all armed groups to refrain from any action which might exacerbate this already fragile situation.

“The Security Council condemns the actions of Houthi forces commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim (Abu Ali al Hakim) who overran Amran including the Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on 8 July.

“The Security Council calls on the Houthis to:

(a)withdraw their forces from Amran and return Amran to Government of Yemen control;

(b)cease all armed hostilities against the Government of Yemen in al Jawf; and

(c)remove the camps and dismantle the checkpoints they have erected in and around Sana’a.

“The Security Council condemns the growing number of attacks  carried out or sponsored by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, and expresses its determination to address this threat in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations and international law, including applicable human rights, refugee and humanitarian law, and in this regard, through the Al-Qaida sanctions regime administered by the Committee pursuant to resolutions 1267 (1999) and 1989 (2011) and reiterates its readiness, under the above-mentioned regime, to sanction further individuals, groups, undertakings and entities who do not cut off all ties to Al-Qaida and associated groups.

“The Security Council stresses the need for an initial draft of the Constitution to be passed to the National Authority review in a timely manner in order to conduct a referendum on the constitution without undue delay.

“The Security Council reiterates its call for comprehensive, independent and impartial investigations, consistent with international standards, into alleged human rights violations and abuses in line with the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference and the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism.  The Security Council recalls its reference in resolution 2140 (2014) to the early adoption of a law on transitional justice and national reconciliation.

“The Security Council notes the formidable economic, security and social challenges confronting Yemen, which continue to leave many Yemenis in acute need of humanitarian assistance. It reaffirms the need to expedite economic reforms, which are a necessary part of achieving macroeconomic stability, fighting poverty and addressing the chronic humanitarian consequences of the crisis in a sustainable manner.  It encourages rapid implementation of Government of Yemen plans to improve social protection, as well as urging the international community to support the Humanitarian Response plan which remains underfunded.  The Security Council also urges all parties to facilitate safe and unhindered access for humanitarian actors to reach people in need of humanitarian assistance.  It also reaffirms the need for all parties to ensure the safety of civilians, including those receiving assistance as well as the need to ensure the security of humanitarian personnel and United Nations and its associated personnel.

“The Security Council remains closely engaged on the situation in Yemen and will continue to closely follow the next steps towards a peaceful political transition.  In this regard, it welcomes the continued and coordinated efforts of the Gulf Cooperation Council, ‘Group of Ten Ambassadors’, the Secretary-General’s good offices, including through the Special Adviser Jamal Benomar, the wider diplomatic community, and the next Friends of Yemen meeting that will take place on 24 September in New York.  The Security Council underscores the need for continued international support for Yemen’s political transition, including through the fulfillment of commitments made by donors to support Yemen.”

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For information media • not an official record