UN Security Council urges Houthis to comply with truce
The UN Security Council on Monday strongly condemned the cross-border terrorist attacks carried out by Houthi rebels against Saudi Arabia last month.
Iran-backed Houthi militias attacked key civilian infrastructure in the Kingdom on 20 and 25 March.
The Security Council expressed its expectations and demanded that the Houthis respect the terms of a “welcome” truce, which came into effect on 2 April, and immediately cease all cross-border attacks; he also recalled the Houthis’ obligations under international law, including those relating to the protection of civilians and civilian property.
At a meeting on Monday, the members of the Security Council also stressed the possibility of the truce to alleviate the humanitarian suffering of Yemenis and to improve regional stability.
Members called for confidence-building through measures such as, inter alia, the reopening of the Taiz road and the regular flow of fuel, goods and flights in accordance with the agreed truce.
The Security Council called on all parties to seize the opportunity offered by the truce and to work with the UN Special Envoy to move towards a comprehensive ceasefire and an inclusive political settlement.
It also expressed its full support for the political consultation efforts of the UN Special Envoy, reiterated the urgency of an inclusive process led and controlled by Yemenis, under the auspices of the UN, and stressed the importance of allowing at least 30% of women to participate in it, in line with the conclusions of the National Dialog Conference, as recalled in resolution 2624 (2022).
It also welcomed the Gulf Cooperation Council initiative for dialog among Yemenis, which was launched last week in Riyadh to support the efforts of the United Nations. The Security Council expressed deep concern about the humanitarian crisis in Yemen and stressed the urgent need to finance the humanitarian response.
