UN sanctions Houthi rebels in Yemen

(Baonghean.vn) - With the support of France, the UK and the US, Jordan proposed a resolution on an arms embargo against the Houthi rebels and it was passed by the Security Council on April 14 with 14 votes in favor and 1 abstention.

Saudi Arabia's Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi welcomed the UN decision. Photo: AP

Accordingly, the resolution requires the Houthi forces to return power and withdraw from the areas they are occupying, including the capital Sanaa. The resolution also freezes the assets and bans travel for Houthi leaders Abdel Malek Al-Houthi and Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh - the eldest son of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who supports the Houthi movement.

This is the first time the council has adopted a resolution on Yemen since the Saudi-led coalition launched a military offensive on March 26. Saudi Arabia's Ambassador Abdallah Al-Mouallimi welcomed the UN decision, saying the sanctions were "a support for the Gulf Cooperation Council's operations."

Russia, a key ally of Iran, which has been accused of helping the Houthis, demanded sanctions on all sides and an end to fighting and airstrikes in Yemen. Russia abstained from voting on the resolution and did not use its veto power. Russia’s representative to the UN Security Council said “this resolution should not be used to escalate conflicts” and regretted that a “humanitarian ceasefire” had not been established in Yemen.

It seems that the United Nations is beginning to show its determination to resolve the political crisis in Yemen. Especially after the UN special envoy repeatedly failed to maintain a negotiation channel between the parties to avoid Yemen ending up like Syria. With this resolution, it seems that the United Nations is hoping to stop the Houthi rebels' advance and thereby revive political dialogue in Yemen.

Chu Thanh

According to the World 14/5