UN Security Council adopted unanimously a presidential statement Sunday condemning ongoing unilateral actions taken by Houthis, which undermine political transition process in Yemen, and jeopardize its security, stability, sovereignty and unity.
At an urgent meeting called by Jordan, the Security Council's statement expressed deep concern at the "insufficient" implementation of resolution 2201 (2015), and deplored that the Houthis have not implemented its demands to this resolution to withdraw their forces from government institutions, including in the capital Sana'a, and normalize the security situation in the capital and other provinces, and relinquish government and security institutions.
French Ambassador Francois Delattre, expressed in the statement, in his capacity as UNSC President of the current month, serious concern over continued arbitrary detention, by all parties, in particular by Houthis, contrary to resolution 2201, and reiterated its demand for the unconditional and safe release of all persons arbitrarily detained.
The UNSC welcomed that the Yemeni Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and other members of the Cabinet are "no longer under the house arrest imposed by the Houthis," and urged non-state actors to withdraw from government institutions, including in the south of Yemen, and to refrain from any attempt to take over such institutions.
On the latest airstrikes against the Presidential Palace in Aden and attacks at Aden International airport, the Security Council condemned this act in the strongest terms, as well as the "horrific" March 20, bomb attacks at the two mosques in Sana'a and in Sa'ada, which killed at least 126 and injured many more.
Furthermore, the Council urged all sides to refrain from any further use of military force, any offensive military actions and other uses of violence.
As for the solution to the situation in Yemen, the Council reiterated that it is through a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process that meets the legitimate demands and aspirations of its people, in order to reach a peaceful change and meaningful political, economic and social reform, as set out in the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, the outcomes of the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, the Peace and National Partnership Agreement and its security annex.
The Council emphasized its call for all parties in Yemen, including the Houthis, government officials, leaders of political parties and movements, and members of so-called "popular committees," to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refrain from provocation and all unilateral actions to undermine the political transition.
The Security Council welcomed the intention of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi, to engage in good faith in the UN-brokered negotiations. and also welcomed the intention of the GCC to convene a conference in Riyadh, upon the request of President Hadi, with the participation of all Yemeni parties to further support the political transition in Yemen, and to complement and support the UN-brokered negotiations.
Delattre called on all member States to "refrain from external interference which seeks to foment conflict and instability and instead to support the political transition." Prior the adoption, the Special Adviser to Secretary General on Yemen Jamal Benomar warned the Council via videoconference from Doha, Qatar, that events in Yemen have led country to "edge of civil war," and also warned that Yemen on "rapid downward spiral" toward "Libya-Syria combined scenario." He stressed that a peaceful dialogue is the only way forward.
On his behalf, the Yemeni Permanent Representative to the UN Khaled Al-Yamani thanked the GCC for their initiative, and specified Saudi Arabia for its role in Yemen's transition. He also reiterated for all parties to join talks in Riyadh.
The Qatari Permenant Representative to the UN Alya Al-Thani spoke on the behalf of the GCC, where she hoped that Yemen is not going to become headquarters for terrorist organizations. She also called for a resolution under Chapter Seven regarding the situation in Yemen.