UN Security Council extends international sanctions imposed on Yemen

The United Nations (UN) Security Council on Thursday extended the international sanctions imposed on Yemen for another year, as well as the mandate of the group of experts on monitoring the arms embargo.

The renewed resolution was issued under Chapter VII of the UN Charter, which implicates the legitimacy of using armed force to implement the decision, such as the: “System of financial sanctions and travel bans against individuals and entities that threaten peace, security and stability in Yemen until 28 February, 2022,” in addition to extending the mandate of the group of experts on monitoring the arms embargo until 28 March of the same year.

An arms embargo has been imposed on Yemen since 2015 in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2216, issued against the Houthi group and the forces loyal to the late President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Thus, the sanctions are renewed annually.

The UN Resolution 2564 condemns: “The continued escalation in Marib, Yemen, and the continued Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia,” while calling for: “An immediate halt of attacks without preconditions, de-escalating clashes in all parts of Yemen and imposing a ceasefire in all parts of the country.”

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The UN resolution also stresses the Houthis’ accountability for placing the Safer oil tanker anchored off the coast of Hodeidah governorate on the Red Sea (west of Yemen), without conducting any maintenance work during the past six years and their failure to respond to the major environmental and humanitarian risks it poses.

Under the Security Council resolution, Sultan Zaben, director of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Houthi group, was added to the list of sanctions, in the first addition to the list since April 2015, when the UN body adopted Resolution 2216.

The Security Council resolution welcomed forming the new Yemeni government in line with the Riyadh Agreement, and urged to immediately resume talks between the parties, in light of full participation and with UN mediation.

The Security Council urged its member states to: “Support efforts to upgrade the abilities of the Yemeni Coast Guard for the effective implementation of the measures imposed by Resolution 2216, with full respect for Yemen’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.”

For years, Yemen has witnessed a war between government forces backed by a Saudi-led coalition and the Iran-backed Houthi group.