Houthi missile targeting Kingdom downed
Security Council imposes sanctions on top Houthi official for intimidations, detentions, torture and rape against politically active women
The Arab coalition on Friday intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile launched by the Houthi militia targeting civilian areas in the southern regions of Saudi Arabia.
“We are taking operational measures to protect civilians and civilian objects in accordance with international humanitarian law,” the coalition said in a statement.
The missile attack was the third attack in 24 hours after the coalition destroyed two drones launched by Iran-backed Houthis. Meanwhile, the UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on a top Houthi security official in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, citing his prominent role in intimidations, systematic arrests, detentions, torture, sexual violence “and rape against politically active women.”
A resolution adopted by a vote of 14-0, with Russia abstaining,
said Sultan Saleh Aida Aida Zabin, director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Sanaa, was directly or by virtue of his authority responsible for using multiple places of detention including police stations and detention centers for human rights abuses.
“In these sites, women, including at least one minor, were forcibly disappeared, repeatedly interrogated, raped, tortured, denied timely medical treatment and subjected to forced labor,” the council said in imposing a travel ban and arms embargo. “Zabin himself directly inflicted torture in some cases.”
It added that Zabin “engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, including violations of applicable international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in Yemen.”
The council strongly condemned the ongoing escalation of violence in Yemen’s province of Marib between the Houthis and government forces, and the continuation of Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.
Meanwhile US President Joe Biden, during a phone call with King Salman, commended Saudi Arabia’s support for UN efforts to reach a truce and cease-fire in Yemen.
King Salman said Saudi Arabia was keen to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen and to achieve security and development for its people. The two sides discussed Iran’s behavior in the region, its destabilizing activities and its support for terrorist groups. Heavy fighting between rebels and government forces in Marib has killed more than 60 people, government sources said on Friday.