UN Council demands Yemeni parties resolve differences through dialogue

The United Nations Security Council votes in an attempt to halt the escalating conflict in Yemen in New York, April 14, 2015. [Photo/CFP]

UNITED NATIONS - In a 14-0 vote, with Russia abstaining, the UN Security Council on Tuesday demanded "all parties in Yemen, in particular the Houthis refrain from actions that could undermine the political transition unconditionally end the use of violence" and imposed an arms embargo on the rebels.

The measure was introduced by Jordan, which serves in the presidency of the council this month, and supported by the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The United Nations recognizes President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi who replaced strongman Ali Abdullahh Saleh after massive protest demonstration in 2011. The latter is aligned with the Houthis.

Yemen has been suffering from political unrest and clashes between Houthi rebels and forces loyal to Yemeni President Abd- Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who has fled the country.

Saudi Arabia, the seat of Sunni Islam, supports Hadi against the Shia Houthis. Iran supports the Houthis, setting up a major Middle East clash of powers.

On March 26, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies launched airstrikes on the Shiite Houthi group that has seized parts of Yemen, including the capital Sanaa and is closing in on the southern port city of Aden, while Iran has dispatched naval vessels and has been charged with providing weapons for the Houthis.

Tuesday's Resolution 2216, carrying the weight of international law and the threat of military action for non-compliance, "demands that all Yemeni parties, in particular the Houthis, fully implement resolution 2201 (and), refrain from further unilateral actions that could undermine the political transition in Yemen."

Security Council Resolution 2201, approved in February, denounced Houthi attempts to take over government institutions and urged acceleration of negotiations to breach a political deadlock. The latest measure echoed those concerns.

Tuesday's Resolution further demanded that the Houthis " immediately and unconditionally" end the use of violence, withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized, including the national capital of Sana'a, relinquish all additional arms seized from military and security institutions, including missile systems, and "cease all actions that are exclusively within the authority of the legitimate Government of Yemen."

The resolution called on UN member states to block arms shipments to supply the Houthis by preventing "the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to, or for the benefit of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdullah Yahya Al-Hakim, Abd Al-Khaliq Al-Huthi and their supporters," referring to the deposed president and two rebel commanders.

"The resolution is extremely important for restoring stability in Yemen and promoting a political solution," China's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Liu Jieyi said after the vote. "There is no military solution and political negotiation is the only way out."

"The hostilities in Yemen, if allowed to continue, will not only plunge the people in Yemen into profound calamity but also spill over to affect the entire region," said Liu. "China is profoundly worried about the recent development in Yemen."