UN slaps arms embargo on Al Houthi militia
IRAN TO PRESENT ITS ‘PEACE PLAN’ TO WORLD BODY TODAY
The United Nations Security Council yesterday blacklisted the son of Yemen’s former president and an Al Houthi leader, and effectively imposed an arms embargo on the Iran-allied Al Houthi militiamen.
The council voted 14 in favour. Russia abstained, saying some of its proposals for the resolution, drafted by council member Jordan and Gulf Arab states, were not included.
The resolution demands Al Houthis stop fighting and withdraw from areas they have seized, including Sana’a, the capital. It also expressed concern at “destabilising actions” taken by former President Saleh, “including supporting the [Al] Houthis’ actions.”
“The co-sponsors refused to include the requirements insisted upon by Russia addressed to all sides to the conflict to swiftly halt fire and to begin peace talks,” Russian UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin told the council after the vote.
The Security Council imposed a global asset freeze and travel ban on Ahmad Saleh, the former head of Yemen’s elite Republican Guard, and on Abdul Malik Al Houthi, a top leader of the Al Houthi group.
US to Iran: Abide by terms
The United States called on Iran to abide by the terms of the new UN embargo. “Obviously Iran plays a role here given their support for the [Al] Houthis,” State Department acting spokeswoman Marie Harf said.
On the ground in Yemen, Al Houthis faced setbacks in the south of the country as fighter groups allied with exiled president Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi pushed the militia out of the Khor Maksar district where the international airport and foreign missions are located.
In Abu Dhabi, the UAE’s Federal National Council yesterday said it backed the country’s participation in the Saudi-led Storm of Resolve coalition to help reinstate Yemen’s legitimacy.
FNC Speaker Mohammad Ahmad Al Murr said the UAE’s stance was compatible with the international, Arab and Muslim stance that also aims to strengthen security and peace in the Arab and Islamic world.
In Madrid, Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said yesterday that Iran has proposed a peace plan for Yemen that calls for a ceasefire followed by talks by all sides that would be mediated by foreigners. Iran is expected to present the plan to the UN today.