Yemen
May 2023
On 17 May, the Council held a briefing, followed by closed consultations, with Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and OCHA Deputy Director of Operations and Advocacy Edem Wosornu. At the public session, Yasmeen al-Eryani, the co-executive director for knowledge production at the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies also briefed the Council. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, briefed members during consultations.
April 2023
On 17 April, the Council held its monthly briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and OCHA’s Deputy Director of Operations and Advocacy Ghada Eltahir Mudawi briefed. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, briefed members during consultations.
Earlier in the month, in a 4 April press statement, Council members condemned recent Houthi escalations while welcoming the 20 March agreement reached in Geneva between the Yemeni government and the Houthis on the release of detainees. On 27 April, Council members issued a press statement that welcomed the visit to Sana’a from 8 to 13 April by Saudi and Omani delegations, and called for all Yemeni parties to continue dialogue, engage constructively in the peace process and negotiate in good faith.
On 28 April, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee held informal consultations to meet with the Panel of Experts on Yemen, whose mandate had been extended to 15 December pursuant to resolution 2675.
March 2023
On 15 March, the Council held an open briefing followed by closed consultations on Yemen. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, and Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, briefed members during consultations.
February 2023
On 15 February, the Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2675, extending the Yemen asset freeze and travel ban sanctions measures until 15 November 2023 and the mandate of the Yemen Panel of Experts until 15 December 2023. After, Council members held their monthly briefing on Yemen in closed consultations with Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, and the head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary.
Several days later, on 20 February, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, met with Yemen Panel of Experts to consider the Panel’s annual final report, which covered the period from 6 December 2021 to 30 November 2022.
January 2023
On 16 January, the Council held a briefing on Yemen followed by closed consultations. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator briefed in the open briefing, and Major General Michael Beary, the head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) briefed during closed consultations.
December 2022
On 13 December, the Council held closed consultations on Yemen. The briefers were Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya, and the head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary.
November 2022
On 22 November, the Council held its monthly briefing followed by closed consultations on Yemen. The briefers were Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Reena Ghelani, Director for Operations and Advocacy, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. Major General Michael Beary, the head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), briefed during the consultations.
On 29 November, the 2140 Committee held joint consultations with the 751 Al-Shabaab Sanctions Committee (formerly called the 751 Somalia Sanctions Committee) to discuss arms smuggling in the region. The two committees heard briefings by the Panel of Experts on Yemen and the Panel of Experts on Somalia.
October 2022
Yemen’s truce, which had been in place since April and was extended twice, expired on 2 October. In a 5 October press statement, Council members expressed “deep disappointment” that the truce had not been renewed and said that the Houthis’ “maximalist demands” had hindered efforts to reach an agreement.
On 13 October, the Council convened for its monthly briefing followed by consultations on Yemen. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen; and Joyce Msuya, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator briefed during the open briefing, and Major General Michael Beary briefed during the consultations. In a 26 October press statement, Council members condemned the “Houthi terrorist drone attacks” on 21 October against the the Al-Dubba oil terminal.
Earlier in the month, on 4 October, the 2140 Committee imposed asset freeze and travel ban sanctions on Ahmad al-Hamzi, commander of the Houthi Air Force and Air Defense Forces and its unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) programme. The designation followed the Committee’s sanctioning of two other Houthi military officials on 26 September.
September 2022
On 8 September, the Council convened for its monthly briefing on Yemen in closed consultations. Hans Grundberg, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen, Reena Ghelani, Director for Operations and Advocacy, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, and Major General Michael Beary of UNMHA briefed. In a 12 September press statement, Council members called on the Yemeni government and the Houthis to urgently intensify, and be flexible in, the negotiations to agree on an expanded truce, which was set to expire on 2 October.
On 15 September, the Council held a briefing on widespread food insecurity due to conflict and violence in northern Ethiopia, northeast Nigeria, South Sudan, and Yemen. An OCHA white note on the four country situations, dated 26 August, prompted the meeting
On 26 September, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee added two members of the Houthis to its Sanctions List. The Committee designated Houthi Commander of Yemen’s Naval and Coastal Defense Forces Mansur Al-Sa’adi for having “masterminded lethal attacks against international shipping in the Red Sea”. It also added former Deputy Head of the Houthi National Security Bureau (NSB) Motlaq Amer Al-Marrani, who oversaw detainees of the NSB who were subjected to torture and other mistreatment, as well as for his role in planning the detention of humanitarian workers and diverting humanitarian aid.
August 2022
On 2 August, the parties to the conflict agreed to extend the truce in Yemen until 2 October. In announcing the renewal, Grundberg said that the parties had committed to intensifying negotiations to reach an expanded truce agreement: to create a mechanism to pay civil servants’ salaries and pensions, open roads in Taiz and other governorates (as envisioned in the initial armistice agreement), establishing additional international destinations from Sana’a airport, and providing for the regular flow of fuel into Hodeidah port. In a 4 August press statement, Council members welcomed the renewal and called on the parties urgently to intensify negotiations on the expanded truce proposal. On15 August, the Council held its monthly briefing, followed by consultations, on Yemen with Grundberg and OCHA Acting Director of Operations and Advocacy Ghada Eltahir Mudawi. Major General Michael Beary of UNMHA briefed members during the consultations.
July 2022
The Security Council held its monthly briefing and consultations on Yemen on 11 July. Special Envoy Hans Grundberg briefed on negotiations to open roads in Taiz and other ggovernorates, as well as efforts to secure an extension of the truce, which was set to expire on 2 August. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Joyce Msuya also briefed, and Major General Beary of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeoidah Agreement (UNMHA) briefed in consultations. On 13 July, the Council adopted resolution 2643, renewing the mandate of UNMHA until 14 July 2023.
June 2022
On 2 June, the internationally recognized Yemeni government and the Houthi rebel group agreed to a two-month extension of the truce agreement, which had been in effect since 2 April and was set to expire later that day. Security Council members issued a press statement on 3 June welcoming the extension and expressing the hope that the truce could be translated into a durable ceasefire.
The Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen on 14 June. The session included briefings by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, OCHA Acting Operations Director Ghada Eltahir Mudawi and Azal Al-Salafi, protection and advocacy officer at The Peace Track Initiative. During consultations, the head of UNMHA, General Michael Beary delivered his first in-person briefing. In press elements after the meeting, Council members welcomed the parties’ discussions about the truce’s implementation and reiterated their call for urgent progress in negotiations on Taiz.
May 2022
Security Council members held their monthly meeting on Yemen in closed consultations on 17 May, hearing briefings by Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grunberg, OCHA Acting Operations Director Ghada Eltahir Mudawi, and UNMHA head General General Michale Beary. In press elements issued after the meeting, Council members welcomed all parties’ efforts to uphold the truce, highlighting the Yemeni government’s “flexibility in enabling the entry of fuel ships into Hodeidah and enabling flights between Sana’a and Amman”. Members encouraged the parties to continue fulfilling the terms of the truce, especially in meeting to discuss opening roads to Taiz. They further urged the parties to extend the truce in coordination with the UN Envoy.
April 2022
On 2 April, Yemen’s warring parties and the Saudi Arabia-led military coalition began a two-month nationwide truce, with the possibility of an extension. It was the first national pause in hostilities since 2016. On 4 April, Council members issued two press statements, one condemning the 20 March and 25 March cross-border “terrorist attacks” by the Houthis against Saudi Arabia that struck critical civilian infrastructure and the other welcoming the Special Envoy’s 1 April call for a truce and the parties’ positive response
The truce announcement was followed by Yemeni President Abd Raboo Mansour Hadi’s 7 April presidential declaration that transferred his own “full powers in accordance with the constitution and the Gulf initiative and its executive mechanism” to a new eight-person Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). A Security Council press statement on 13 April welcomed the creation of the PLC and its assumption of powers. Council members “expressed their hope and expectation that the creation of the PLC will form an important step towards stability and an inclusive Yemeni-led and -owned political settlement”, noting the PLC’s intention to form a negotiating team for the UN-led talks.
Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths briefed the Council, followed by closed consultations, on 14 April.
March 2022
On 15 March, the Security Council held its monthly briefing (S/PV.8995), followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths briefed. The head of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary briefed members in consultations. Earlier in the month, on 5 March, the UN signed a memorandum of understanding with the Houthis and the Fahem Group (one of Yemen’s largest import companies) to transfer the oil on the Safer to a vessel that would replace the ageing tanker.
February 2022
On 15 February, the Security Council held a briefing (S/PV.8966), followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths, and the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Ferit Hoxha (Albania), briefed. The head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary delivered his first briefing to Council members since assuming his position.
On 28 February, the Security Council adopted resolution 2624, renewing the Yemen sanctions regime for a further 12 months. In addition, the draft resolution strongly condemned the cross-border attacks by the “Houthi terrorist group”, including those on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and designated the Houthis as an entity that is subject to the measures imposed in paragraph 14 of resolution 2216, which refers to the targeted arms embargo. Also notable, the draft resolution highlighted the need for “a political process that includes and meets the legitimate aspirations of all Yemen’s multiple and varied parties”. Eleven members voted in favour and four abstained (Brazil, Ireland, Mexico, and Norway). In their explanations of vote (S/PV.8981), these four members highlighted their concerns about the lack of an agreed definition of a terrorist group and the impact of applying the terrorism label on the Houthis and the designation on political efforts. They further expressed concerns about the possible unintended consequences of the use of the terrorism term on the humanitarian situation.
January 2022
0n 12 January, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen (S/PV.8946), followed by closed consultations. Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham briefed, highlighting the intensification in fighting. In a 14 January press statement, Council members condemned the Houthi seizure and detention of the UAE-flagged RWABEE on 2 January.
On 17 January, a Houthi-claimed attack, using a combination of ballistic and cruise missiles and drones, struck an industrial zone in Abu Dhabi, causing three petroleum tanker explosions, and a construction site at Abu Dhabi International Airport. Two Indian nationals and one Pakistani civilian were killed, and six other civilians were injured in the attack. At the request of the UAE, Council members discussed the attack in closed consultations on 21 January, and in a press statement, members “condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi”. The Houthi attack on the UAE followed losses earlier in the month in Shebwa and Marib governorates during a counter-offensive by the UAE-backed Giants brigade, recently re-deployed from Hodeidah governorate.
The head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA), Major General Michael Beary, who was appointed on 23 December 2021, assumed his duties on 19 January.
December 2021
On 14 December, the Security held its monthly meeting on Yemen, hearing briefings by UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham.
November 2021
On 9 November, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee imposed travel ban and asset freeze sanctions on three Houthi military figures for their leading roles in the Marib offensive, cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia and arms smuggling. The next day, the 2140 Committee met to discuss Russia’s protests to the designations, which took place after Russia failed to raise its objections within the timeframe allotted for committee members to block proposed designations. On 11 November, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen in closed consultations with Special Envoy Hans Grundberg and Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham. On 18 November, Security Council members issued a press statement condemning the 10 November seizure by the Huthis, of the US embassy compound in Sana’a and calling for the release of the local employees that remained under detention. (The embassy compound had been closed since 2015).
In a major development on the ground, on 12 November, government-affiliated forces in Hodeidah withdrew from Hodeidah city and the districts of al-Durayhimi, Bayt al Faqih, and most of the areas under their control in al-Tahita district, establishing new front lines about 75 kilometres south of Hodeidah city near Al Khukhah city. The Houthis took control of the vacated areas, which had been largely entrenched since the December 2018 Stockholm Agreement.
October 2021
On 7 October during its 48th session, the Human Rights Council (HRC) rejected a resolution to renew the mandate of the Group of Eminent Experts on Yemen (GEE) for two years (A/HRC/48/L.11), by a vote of 18 in favour, 21 against and seven abstentions.
The Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen on 14 October. During the session members heard briefings by Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham and Maysaa Shuja al-Deen of the Sana’a Center for Strategic Studies. On 20 October, Council members expressed their “unwavering support” for UN Special Envoy Grundberg in a press statement, which also stressed “the need for de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Houthi escalation in Marib” and demanded a nation-wide ceasefire. Earlier in the month, General Abhijit Guha completing his tenure as the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA).
September 2021
On 5 September, Hans Grundberg, officially started his tenure as UN Special Envoy for Yemen. On 10 September, the Security Council convened its monthly briefing, followed by closed consultations, on Yemen. Grunberg briefed, highlighting his intention to set-up a more inclusive political process. Y OCHA’s Deputy Director of Operations, Ghada Eltahir Mudawi, and Entesar Al-Qadhi, executive director of the Marib Girls Foundation for Development also briefed. General Abhijit Guha of UNMHA briefed during the closed consultations. In press elements, Security Council members welcomed Grundberg’s appointment and reiterated their expectation that the parties would meet with him and each other under UN auspices, in good faith and without preconditions.
August 2021
On 6 August, the Secretary-General appointed Hans Grundberg of Sweden as Special Envoy to Yemen.
On 13 August, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee received a briefing from the Yemen Panel of Experts on the panel’s mid-term update.
On 23 August, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen followed by Consultations. Assistant Secretary-General for the Middle East, Asia, and the Pacific Khaled Khiari; Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths; and UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore briefed. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) briefed during consultations.
July 2021
On 14 July, the Council adopted resolution 2586 renewing UNMHA’s mandate until 15 July 2022. Following the adoption, Council members held closed consultations and were briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs Rosemary DiCarlo, Acting Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham, and General Abhijit Guha, head of UNMHA.
On 16 July, Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict Virginia Gamba briefed the 2140 Committee on the situation of children and armed conflict in Yemen.
June 2021
On 3 June, the Council held a briefing and consultations on the FSO Safer oil tanker. UN Environmental Programme Executive Director Inger Andersen and Director of OCHA’s Operations and Advocacy Division Reena Ghelani briefed. In press elements after the meeting, Council members expressed “extreme concern at the growing risk that the Safer oil tanker could rupture or explode, causing an environmental, economic, maritime and humanitarian catastrophe for Yemen and the region”.
On 15 June, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen followed by closed consultations. The meeting was Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths’ final briefing to the Council as UN envoy. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock and Najiba Al-Najar, a member of the Yemeni Women’s Pact for Peace and Security also briefed. General Abhijit Guha of UNMHA briefed in consultations.
May 2021
On 12 May, the Council held its monthly briefing and consultations on Yemen. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed. General Abhijit Guha, who heads the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) briefed during consultations. After the meeting, the UN announced that the Secretary-General was appointing Griffiths as the UN humanitarian relief coordinator to replace Lowcock. Griffiths would continue to serve as Special Envoy to Yemen until a transition for his successor was established, according to the UN announcement.
April 2021
On 15 April, the Council held its monthly briefing and consultations, via videoconference, on Yemen. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Council during the open session. In a 16 April press statement, Council members welcomed Saudi and Omani efforts to support the UN Special Envoy’s efforts to establish a nationwide ceasefire. Council members called on the Houthis to end their escalation in Marib and condemned the cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. Members also called on the Yemeni government to facilitate regularly, without delay, the entry of fuel ships into the Hodeidah port.
March 2021
On 16 March, the Council held via videoconference its monthly briefing and consultations on Yemen. Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and Nirvana Shawky, Regional Director for the Middle East and North Africa of CARE briefed. Council members issued a press statement on 18 March that condemned the fighting in Marib governorate and cross-border attacks against Saudi Arabia. It stressed “the need for a de-escalation by all, including an immediate end to the Houthi escalation in Marib”.
On 26 March, the Yemen Panel of Experts briefed the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee on its investigation into the 30 December 2020 attack on Aden airport that targeted the new Yemeni cabinet arriving from Saudi Arabia. According to a confidential “ad hoc” report, which was shared with the Committee, the Panel apparently determined that the rockets used in the attack were fired from Houthi-controlled territory and were known to be used only by the Houthis. The Panel did not go so far as to assign responsibility to the Houthis and will report further on the incident in its mid-term update.
Earlier in the month, on 2 March, the Informal Experts Group (IEG) on women, peace and security held its fourth meeting on Yemen. Griffiths; David Gressly, Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen; and General Abhijit Guha of UNMHA briefed the IEG.
February 2021
On 18 February, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen via videoconference. UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador I. Rhonda King (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) briefed the open meeting. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UNHMA briefed during closed consultations.
On 25 February, the Council adopted resolution 2564, renewing the Yemen sanctions measures and the mandate of the Yemen Panel of Experts for an additional year. In an annex attached to the resolution, the Council imposed the asset freeze and travel ban sanctions on Houthi official Sultan Saleh Aida Aida Zabin. Fourteen countries voted in favor of the resolution while Russia abstained.
January 2021
On January 14, the Security Council had its monthly briefing on Yemen via videoconference followed by closed consultations. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and Executive Director of the World Food Programme David Beasley briefed the open session. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UNMHA briefed the Council for its closed session. On 22 January, the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee met to consider the final report of its Panel of Experts.
December 2020
On December 3, the council met for an Arria-Formula meeting with the Group of Eminent International and Regional Experts (GEE), established by the Human Rights Council (HRC) in September 2017 to report on the human rights situation in Yemen. The chair of the GEE, Kamel Jendoubi (Tunisia) shared the findings of the GEE’s annual report, and two other members of the GEE also participated.
On December 14, the Council held its monthly Yemen meeting through a closed videoconference. UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and the head of UNMHA General Abhijit Guha briefed the council.
Ahead of the meeting, Council members issued a press statement that condemned the military escalation in Yemen and the 23 November 2020 Houthi attacks on oil facilities in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Members “called for the implementation of the Riyadh Agreement, and for Yemen’s parties to meet urgently under Martin Griffiths’ auspices to bridge differences on the Joint Declaration”. The press statement further expressed alarm at the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification assessment from 3 December on Yemen and “called on all donors in the international community, including in the region, to step up urgently and save lives by disbursing outstanding pledges…and making early and generous contributions in 2021”.
November 2020
On 11 November, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen via videoconference followed by closed consultations. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, Executive Director of the World Food Programme David Beasley, Omer Badokhon, and Executive Director of the civil society initiative Solutions for Sustainable Societies briefed the council.
October 2020
On 15 October, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen. Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Council by videoconference. General Guha on UNMHA briefed during closed consultations after the public session.
On 16 October, the Council released a press statement urging the Yemeni parties to endorse the UN-facilitated Joint Declaration proposals for nationwide ceasefire without delay; condemned military escalations in Marib and Hodeidah governorates and expressed deep concern that famine is a realistic prospect.
September 2020
On 15 September, the Council met for a briefing on Yemen. Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed. General Guha on UNMHA briefed during closed consultations after the public session. Earlier in the month, on 4 September, Lowcock sent a white paper to Council members on food security risks in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Yemen, north-east Nigeria, and South Sudan.
August 2020
On 18 August, Security Council members held a closed VTC with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham and General Guha of UNMH briefed.
After the meeting, Council members issued press elements emphasising their steadfast support for Griffiths; welcoming the 29 July announcement of the renewed commitment to implementing the Riyadh Agreement; and calling on all parties to cease hostilities, particularly in Marib, to prevent a further worsening of the humanitarian situation.
Earlier in the month, on 14 August, the Council’s 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee discussed with the Yemen Panel of Experts the panel’s mid-term update.
July 2020
On 14 July, the Council adopted resolution 2534, which renewed the mandate of the UN Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) until 15 July 2021.
The Council held a special session via VTC on the FSO Safer oil tanker on 15 July. Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme Inger Andersen and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed.
On 28 July, Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Council at its monthly briefing and consultations on Yemen. During the public session, the Council also heard briefings by two Yemeni civil society representatives based in Sana’a: Wafa`a Alsaidy, General Coordinator for Yemen of Médecins du Monde and Raja Abdullah Ahmed Almasabi of the Arab Human Rights Foundation. General Guha of UNMHA briefed during consultations. In press elements after the meeting, Council members called on the parties to agree rapidly to Griffiths’ proposals on a nationwide ceasefire, a series of economic and humanitarian measures, and he resumption of peace talks. They further called for the Houthis to issue entry permits to the UN technical team to assess the Safer tanker.
June 2020
On 24 June, Security Council members held a closed VTC on Yemen. Special Envoy Martin Griffiths Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock and General Guha of UNMHA briefed.
On 29 June, Council members issued a press statement that condemned the escalation of violence and expressed deep concern at the slow pace of negotiations, calling on the parties to agree to mediated proposals with haste.
May 2020
On 14 May, the Council was briefed through videoconference on the situation in Yemen by Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ramesh Rajasingham and Special Envoy Martin Griffiths. General Guha of UNMHA briefed during closed consultations.
In press elements issued after the briefing, Council members reiterated support for the Secretary-General’s 25 March call for a ceasefire in light of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged the Houthis to reciprocate the ceasefire announcement made by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
April 2020
In a 10 April press statement, Council members endorsed the Secretary-General’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s unilateral ceasefire announcement.
On 16 April, the Council had a VTC briefing on Yemen, Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed.
In press elements on 17 April, Council members called on the Houthis and Yemeni government “to engage constructively with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths’ proposals for a nationwide ceasefire, confidence building measures, and the restart of the political process, to reach agreement on these as soon as possible”.
Security Council members released a press statement on 29 April expressing strong concern at the declaration by the Southern Transitional Council (STC), who had declared self-rule and a state of emergency across southern Yemen on 25 April. The Council press statement called for expediting the Riyadh Agreement’s implementation.
March 2020
On 12 March, the Council held its monthly briefing on Yemen, with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Ramesh Rajasingham, Acting Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator briefed. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement and Redeployment and Coordination Committee, briefed in consultations. The day before, on 11 March, the Yemeni government suspended its participation in RCC following a Houthi sniper shooting a Yemeni government liaison officer serving in one of the joint observation posts to monitor the Hodeidah ceasefire.
On 25 March, Secretary-General António Guterres called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Yemen, and for the parties to focus on reaching a political settlement and working together to counter a potential COVID-19 outbreak.
February 2020
On 18 February, the Council held a briefing on Yemen, with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and Ambassador Inga Rhonda King (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) chair of the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee briefed. This was followed by consultations where Council members were briefed by General Guha of UNMHA.
On 25 February, the Council adopted resolution 2511, renewing the asset freeze, travel ban, and sanctions until 26 February 2021 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 28 March 2021. 13 Council members voted in favour, Russia and China abstained.
January 2020
On 10 January, the 2140 Sanctions Committee met to discuss the Yemen Panel of Experts’ final report.
Resolution 2505, adopted on 13 January, renewed UNMHA’s mandate until 15 July 2020.
On 16 January, Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and Ramesh Rajasingham, Director,Coordination Division, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs briefed the Council on Yemen. General Abhijit Guha briefed during closed consultations
After a lull in fighting since September 2019 that followed a series of drone and missile attacks on Saudi oil facilities, the Houthis launched, starting around 18 January, a military offensive in Marib. In a 30 January press statement, Council members “called for an immediate cessation of hostilities”.
December 2019
On 12 December, Council members held a briefing in closed consultations with Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (via VTC); Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock; and General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA.)
November 2019
On 5 November, the internationally recognised government of Yemen and the separatist Southern Transitional Council (STC) signed the Riyadh Agreement to share power after negotiations brokered by Saudi Arabia. A Security Council press statement issued on 6 October said the Riyadh Agreement represents “a positive and important step towards a comprehensive and inclusive political solution for Yemen.”
On 22 November, the Council was briefed by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (via VTC) and Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Ursula Mueller. General Abhijit Guha, the head of the UN Mission to support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) briefed during consultations via VTC.
October 2019
In accordance with resolution 2481, the Secretary-General submitted a review of othe UN Mission to support the Hodeidah AgreementUNMHA in a 14 October letter to Council members. On 17 October, the Council had its monthly briefing on Yemen. The briefers were Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (via VTC), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and General Abhijit Guha gave his first briefing as the UNMHA head and RCC chair during consultations.
September 2019
On 16 September, the Council held its monthly meeting on Yemen and was briefed by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths (via VTC), and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock. Also during September, the Secretary-General appointed Lieutenant General (retired) Abhijit Guha of India as the new UNMHA head and chair of the Redeployment and Coordination Committee to replace General Michael Lollesgaard, who left at the end of July.
August 2019
Following fighting that erupted between the Yemeni government and forces affiliated with the separatist Southern Transitional Council on 7 August, the Council adopted a presidential statement on 29 August, which called for restraint, the preservation of Yemen’s territorial integrity, and welcomed Saudi Arabia’s proposed dialogue in Jeddah.
Earlier in the month, on 20 August, Ursula Mueller, Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Deputy Emergency Relief Coordinator, and Martin Griffiths, Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen briefed the Council for its monthly meeting on Yemen.
On 23 August, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met to consider the Yemen Panel of Experts midterm update.
July 2019
On 15 July the Council adopted resolution 2481, renewing the mandate of UNMHA for six months until 15 January 2020. On 18 July, Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths (via video teleconference), Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock, and World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley brief the Council during its monthly session on Yemen. In closed consultations that followed General Michael Lollesgaard, briefed members via video teleconference for what was likely his final briefing before completing is term as UNMHA head and chair of the Redeployment Coordination Committee.
November 2018
On 16 November, the Council held a briefing, followed by consultations, on Yemen (S/PV.8404). UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths informed the Council that he intended to convene the parties shortly for consultations in Sweden. Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock provided an update on the five areas that he had asked the Council to support at a 23 October briefing, in order to avert famine. World Food Programme Executive Director David Beasley’s briefing focused on his first-hand observations of the food insecurity and economic conditions that he witnessed during a recent three-day visit to Yemen. Civil society representative, Rasha Jarhum, who is the founder and Director of the Peace Track Initiative in Yemen, also briefed via video teleconference, making a number of recommendations for Council action. During the meeting the UK, as penholder on Yemen, announced that it would soon circulate a draft resolution that it had been preparing in support of Lowcock’s five asks. At press time, Council members were still negotiating the draft resolution.
October 2018
On 11 October, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee issued a press release that condemned attacks on commercial vessels described in the 9 July case-study of the Yemen Panel of Experts as perpetrated by the Houthis. On 23 October, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Security Council on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen focusing on the rising threat of famine that has the potential to affect up to 14 million people, according to the latest UN estimates. Ahead of the meeting, on 20 October, OCHA had sent Council members a white paper on the worsening food crisis. During the briefing Lowcock warned of imminent danger of “a famine engulfing Yemen”. He called for Council support in five areas, including a cessation of hostilities in and around all infrastructure and facilities that the aid operation and commercial importers rely upon and for a larger and faster injection of foreign exchange into the economy.
September 2018
On 11 September, the Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths briefed the Council, followed by closed consultations after which members issued press elements expressing regret that the Houthis had not attended the Geneva consultations that Griffiths had sought to organise the previous week. The press elements urged all sides to get behind the process that the Special Envoy is leading. On 21 September, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed the Council on the escalation around Hodeidah and the worsening economic situation. Lowcock warned that Yemen may be “approaching a tipping point, beyond which it will be impossible to prevent massive loss of life as a result of widespread famine across the country”, and described already existing “pocket-like conditions of famine”.
August 2018
On 2 August, the Council received a briefing from Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths and OCHA Director of Operations John Ging. Griffiths announced his intention to organise a first round of consultations with the warring Yemeni parties on 6 September in Geneva to discuss, among other things, the framework for negotiations and to agree on relevant confidence-building measures and specific plans for moving the process forward. Council members discussed Yemen under “any other business” on 10 August, at the request of Peru on behalf of Bolivia, Netherlands, Poland and Sweden, following an air strike on a school bus in Saada province which had killed more than 40 children the previous day. Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun briefed. Council members subsequently issued press elements expressing their grave concern at the attack and all other recent attacks in Yemen, called for a credible and transparent investigation, and also called on all parties to engage in good faith with the UN led process, notably consultations scheduled for September in Geneva. On 10 August, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met with the Yemen Panel of Experts to consider the panel’s midterm update, which is an unpublished report on the implementation of the sanctions regime. The midterm update stated the panel’s continued belief that most of the weapons it inspected, including the debris of ballistic missiles and unmanned aerial vehicles, show characteristics similar to weapons systems known to be produced in Iran. It also reported that the panel had received information that the Houthis receive financial support from Iran through the donation of fuel. At the same time, the midterm update said that the panel believes Iran might now be willing to play a constructive role in furthering a peaceful solution for Yemen, flagging Iran’s recent efforts with several European countries to try to broker a ceasefire during Ramadan. The update affirmed, among other things, that the panel continues to obtain evidence of widespread violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law by all parties to the conflict, outlining different incidents that it was investigating. During the meeting, the Committee also considered a 9 July case study by the Panel of Experts on attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea. A press release on the Committee meeting was issued on 17 August.
July 2018
On 5 July, Security Council members held consultations on Yemen, receiving briefings from UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths via video-teleconference and from OCHA Director of Operations John Ging. Discussion included an update on Griffiths’ efforts to avoid avoid a further military escalation at the port city of Hodeidah. On 9 July, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee received a case study from the panel about two previous Houthi attacks on commercial shipping in the Red Sea: against a Saudi oil tanker on 3 April and a Turkish-flagged vessel transferring wheat on 10 May, both using anti-ship missiles. After two members requested more time during a no-objections procedure to consider the panel recommendations, it was decided that the case study and recommendations would be discussed at the committee’s upcoming 10 August meeting to consider the mid-term update, which the committee received on 27 July. Also during the month, on 25 July, the Secretary-General informed the Council of the appointment of the armed groups experts to the Yemen Panel of Experts.
June 2018
The Council met on 11 June due to concerns over an impending Coalition attack on the Hodeidah. UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths briefed via VTC on efforts to negotiate a deal to forestall an offensive, while Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock briefed on the potential humanitarian consequences. Members issued a one-paragraph set of press elements, which “reiterated that only a negotiated political settlement can bring the war to an end”. On 14 June, after the start of the offensive, Griffiths briefed again in consultations via VTC. OCHA’s Ursula Mueller also briefed. Members issued press elements, expressing deep concern about the humanitarian situation and reiterated that Hodeidah and Saleef ports should remain open and called for the implementation of all Council resolutions, including resolution 2216. They urged all sides to uphold their obligations under international humanitarian law. On 18 June, Giffiths and Lowcock briefed in consultations as part of the Special Envoy’s regularly scheduled update. Speaking from Sana’a, Griffths provided an update on his ongoing efforts to broker a deal to have Houthi rebels turn over Hodeidah port to UN control, indicating his belief that an agreement between the sides was possible. He also presented a framework to resume political negotiations, outlining the principles it would be based on. Council members issued press elements, noting that the Special Envoy’s efforts on Hodeidah remained ongoing and that they asked to be kept updated in real time. They further welcomed his briefing on his proposals to restart the political process.
April 2018
On 17 April, the Security Council received a briefing from the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Martin Griffiths, and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock. The meeting was Griffiths’ first briefing to the Council since becoming Special Envoy for Yemen in March. He said that he planned to put to the Council within the next two months a framework for negotiations, while raising concerns about an escalation in fighting, including over the prospect of intensive military operations against the port city of Hodeidah, which could derail political efforts. All members delivered their statements in the public chamber, and consultations that had been scheduled were not held. On 5 April, Ahmed Himmiche was reappointed the Coordinator and finance expert of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee’s Panel of Experts, leaving still pending the appointment of the armed groups expert (the regional, international humanitarian law, and arms experts were appointed on 27 March). On 27 April, the Yemen Sanctions Committee met to discuss with the committee’s Panel of Experts the panel’s work plan for the coming year.
March 2018
On 27 March, the Secretary-General appointed three of the five members of the Yemen Panel of Experts (the regional expert; arms expert; and international humanitarian law expert).
February 2018
On 26 February, the Council adopted resolution 2402, extending the Yemen sanctions regime. At the adoption, members first voted on a draft resolution prepared by the UK, which Russia vetoed, objecting to references to the Yemen Panel of Experts’ findings that Iran was in non-compliance with the arms embargo. Eleven members voted in favour, China and Kazakhstan abstained with Bolivia also voting against (S/2018/156). Council members then unanimously approved a draft resolution Russia had presented that was based on last year’s resolution 2342, with technical amendments to extend the sanctions measures for a further year. The next day, 27 February, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefed the Council. This was Ould Cheikh Ahmed’s final briefing as the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen. The Director of Operations for OCHA John Ging also briefed, as did Ambassador Gustavo Meza-Cuadra (Peru), as the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee. Consultations followed the public session.
December 2017
On 5 December, Council members were briefed on Yemen in consultations by Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock. On 22 December, Council members condemned in a press statement the 19 December ballistic missile attack by the Huthis against Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.
November 2017
On 8 November, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Mark Lowcock on the Saudi-led intensified coalition blockade following the Houthis firing of a ballistic missile on 4 November at Riyadh. Lowcock told Council members that unless the blockade is lifted, there would be a famine affecting millions of people, and he outlined a series of measures required to avoid such a famine. Council members issued “press elements”, which emphasised the importance of fully implementing the Council’s 15 June presidential statement, particularly keeping all of Yemen’s ports and airports functioning, including Hodeidah port. Members also condemned the attempted missile attack on Riyadh. Egypt subsequently circulated a draft presidential statement to condemn the missile attack. Bolivia, France, Italy, Sweden and Uruguay would eventually jointly break a silence procedure on the draft, believing that it did not sufficiently address the humanitarian situation. No further action was taken on the statement. On 10 November, the Yemen Panel of Experts submitted a case study to the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee. The confidential report concluded that the arms embargo in resolution 2216 was being used as justification to obstruct humanitarian assistance. The panel also said that it had seen no evidence to support Saudi Arabia’s claims that short-range ballistic missiles have been transferred to the Houthis. Following a visit from 17 to 21 November by the Coordinator of the Panel, Ahmed Himmiche, to Riyadh, the Panel submitted an update report to the 2140 Committee on 24 November. The update concluded that missile debris inspected from attacks against Saudi Arabia, including the 4 November missile attack, were consistent with the design, characteristics and dimensions of Iranian-designed and manufactured missiles.
October 2017
On 10 October, the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen Ismaïl Ould Cheikh Ahmed and OCHA Operations Director John Ging briefed the Council. During his briefing, the Special Envoy did not report any progress regarding the package of confidence-building measures that he has been pursuing, and said that “the parties have to commit to…start discussions for a comprehensive agreement”. In describing the humanitarian crisis, Ging outlined the ongoing challenges facing humanitarian and commercial access and the impact of non-payment of civil servant salaries. Closed consultations followed the public session. Council members subsequently issued elements to the press in which they deeply regretted the lack of progress in the political process and the worsening of the humanitarian situation. They reaffirmed the need for all parties, especially the Houthis, to engage meaningfully with the UN Special Envoy’s comprehensive proposals for peace and to make progress towards a ceasefire and resolution of the conflict.
August 2017
On 18 August, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien briefed the Council on the humanitarian crisis in Yemen. It was followed by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefing via video teleconference from Amman on his ongoing efforts to reach an agreement to avoid a possible attack on Hodeidah port and to resume salary payments of Yemeni civil servants. Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdulmalik al-Mekhlafi also participated. Consultations followed, and in press elements afterward, members stressed the importance of fully implementing the Council’s 15 June presidential statement. On 21 August, Senegal organised an Arria-formula meeting on “The Vital Role of the UN’s Humanitarian Assistance Partners in the Crisis in Yemen”. O’Brien and the Supervisor General of the King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center, Abdallah al-Rabeeah, provided briefings. Ahead of the session, Senegal circulated a concept note.
July 2017
On 12 July, the Council was briefed via video teleconference by the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and in person by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien. The director-generals of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, and of the Food and Agricultural Organization, José Graziano da Silva also briefed by video teleconference. After further discussion in consultations, Council members issued elements to the press, which reiterated members’ support for the Council’s 15 June presidential statement and recognised the need for all parties to convert the words of the text into action.
June 2017
On 15 June, the Council adopted a presidential statement on the humanitarian situation and confidence-building measures regarding Hodeidah port. The statement stressed the importance of keeping all of Yemen’s ports functioning, including Hodeidah. The Council called on the parties to engage constructively with the Special Envoy on his proposal for increasing commercial and humanitarian shipments, including new arrangements for the management of Hodeidah, while urging an agreement for resuming payments of government salaries. The Council further encouraged rapid agreement on the timely installation of cranes at Hodeidah to increase the port’s capacity, and increased access to Sana’a Airport for lifesaving humanitarian supplies and movement of urgent humanitarian cases. The presidential statement marked the first Council product on Yemen in nearly 14 months since its 25 April 2016 presidential statement.
Council members also discussed Yemen’s humanitarian crisis at a 16 June Arria-formula meeting regarding the risk of famine in the conflict-affected areas of northeast Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen.
May 2017
On 30 May, the Special Envoy for the Secretary-General on Yemen, Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and the head of OCHA, Stephen O’Brien, briefed the Council. A Yemeni civil society representative, Radhya al-Mutawakel from the Mwatana Organization for Human Rights, also briefed. This was followed by closed consultations.
March 2017
On 10 March, following a request by Russia, the Council was briefed by OCHA head Stephen O’Brien, who had travelled to Yemen from 26 February to 2 March. O’Brien highlighted that Yemen was the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with 18 million people in need of assistance, and was at risk of famine, while he also addressed the humanitarian crises of South Sudan, Somalia and the Lake Chad Basin Region. The following week, 17 March, following a Russian request, members discussed in consultations under “any other business” a planned attack against the port city of Hodeidah by the Coalition and Yemeni government. Political Affairs Under-Secretary-General Jeffrey Feltman provided a briefing. On 29 March, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and Ambassador Koro Besho (Japan), Chair of the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee, briefed Council members in consultations. Ahead of this meeting, on 23 March, the Informal Experts Group on Women Peace and Security met on Yemen. Participants included Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström, Special Envoy Ahmed, the UN’s Resident/Humanitarian Coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick and the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka.
April 2017
On 18 April, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee held a session on humanitarian access through Yemeni Red Sea ports, which was organised following a case study submitted by the Yemen Panel of Experts on the issue. UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick, Coordinator of the Panel of Experts Ahmed Himmiche and Country Director of the World Food Programme Stephen Anderson briefed, focusing on the situation of Hodeidah port and a possible coalition attack against the city. During the session, it was highlighted that no substitute exists, among the contingency plans and options being considered, that could make-up for Yemen’s needs if Hodeidah port becomes unusable. On 24 April, the Committee met with the Panel following the 13 April appointment by the Secretary-General of the Panel’s expert on armed groups. The Panel discussed with members its work plan for the coming year.
February 2017
On 23 February, the Council adopted resolution 2342, extending the Yemen sanctions measures for an additional year and the Panel of Experts until 28 March 2018.
January 2017
On 26 January, the Council received briefings from the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy to Yemen, Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and OCHA head Stephen O’Brien (S/PV.7871). Following a statement by the Yemeni Permanent Representative Khaled Alyemany, members continued the meeting in consultations. Afterwards, Council members issued “press elements” expressing serious concern at the devastating humanitarian impact of the conflict and calling on all parties to allow unhindered access for humanitarian supplies and to facilitate access for essential imports of food, fuel, and medical supplies; calling on all parties to the conflict to renew their commitment to a cessation of hostilities; and calling on the sides to work with the Special Envoy to develop a comprehensive agreement. On 27 January, the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee met with the Panel of Experts to discuss its final report submitted earlier this month.
October 2016
In a 4 October press statement, Council members strongly condemned an attack by Houthi forces on a UAE vessel operating near Bab al-Mandeb strait on 1 October. It further noted that members take threats to shipping around the passage extremely seriously. The US subsequently informed members of missile strikes it conducted on radar facilities following Houthi cruise missile launches at US Navy warships on 9 and 12 October around Bab al-Mandeb. Following the 8 October attacks on a funeral in Sana’a, which according to initial UN figures killed over 140 people, the UK circulated a draft press statement that would have strongly condemned the attack. Russia broke a silence procedure on the text, believing the statement was not strong enough. The UK subsequently informed members on 13 October that it would prepare a new resolution that would include a call for a cessation of hostilities but at press time it had not been circulated. On 31 October, Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefed the Council on his recent efforts to reach a cessation of hostilities in Yemen (S/PV.7797). In the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee, the Panel of Experts submitted preliminary analysis on 17 October that the 8 October attacks on the funeral in Sana’a were the result of at least two aircraft bombs, and that evidence suggested that the Saudi Arabia-led coalition violated its obligations under international humanitarian law.
September 2016
Following the Council’s briefing and consultations on 31 August (S/PV.7765), Council members issued a press statement on 8 September. The press statement expressed Council members’ continued support for the work of the Special Envoy; urged the parties to resume consultations on the basis of his proposal without preconditions and in good faith; stressed that new political arrangements be the result of negotiations and not through unilateral actions by any side; and urged all parties to recommit to and respect the cessation of hostilities. It further expressed strong concern about terrorism and called upon all sides to comply with international humanitarian law and take urgent measures to improve the humanitarian situation. Negotiations on the text took more than a week, with both Egypt and Russia breaking silence procedures over differences regarding a paragraph in the statement on the cessation of hostilities.
August 2016
On 3 August, the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, briefed Council members in consultations on peace talks in Kuwait. Following the meeting, members were unable to agree to press elements. Three days later the talks concluded without an agreement and fighting soon intensified. On 5 August, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met with the Yemen Panel of Experts to consider the Panel’s “midterm update”, which was circulated in a report to committee members on 27 July. Of the Panel’s three recommendations, committee members subsequently approved two of them while taking note of the recommendation to issue an implementation assistance notice regarding information to include in member states’ reports of interdictions. On 25 August, following a meeting of foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, the UK, the US and the Special Envoy in Jeddah, US Secretary of State John Kerry announced an agreement on a “renewed approach to negotiations” that would “simultaneously” address security and political tracks. On 31 August, the Special Envoy briefed the Council on the details of the new initiative, which was followed by consultations.
July 2016
On 5 July, the UK circulated draft presidential statement on Yemen following the adjournment of UN-brokered peace talks in Kuwait, which sought to urge the parties to use the two-week period before peace talks were scheduled to resume on 15 July to further refine their positions and conduct the negotiations in a more flexible and constructive manner. Egypt and Russia both broke silence procedures, and after a final silence period was broken by Russia on 12 July, the statement was never agreed to. Peace talks resumed on 16 July in Kuwait, following a one day delay. Host government Kuwait set a 15 day timeframe for concluding the second round. Towards the end of the month, the 2140 Sanctions Committee received the mid-term report of the Yemen panel of experts, which committee members planned to consider in August.
June 2016
On 6 June, following publication of the annual report on Children and Armed Conflict (S/2016/360), the Secretary-General removed the Saudi Arabia-led coalition from the listing in Annex 1 of the report, where it had been included for the first time. The removal came after strong pressure from Saudi Arabia and other member states and is considered “pending” until the conclusion of a joint review of the report’s findings with coalition members. On 21 June, Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed reported to the Council that he had presented to the parties in Kuwait a roadmap that provides for the implementation of resolution 2216 and the establishment of a national unity government, but that the sides were divided over the “sequencing” of the steps in the roadmap (S/PV.7721). Council members issued press elements urging the parties to show flexibility to secure an agreement.
May 2016
On 25 May, Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman briefed Council members in consultations on the Yemen peace talks in Kuwait, who then had further discussions with Special Envoy for Yemen Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed (via video teleconference). The day before (24 May) this meeting, the Secretary-General sent the Council a plan on how the Special Envoy’s Office could further support the parties, which the Council had requested in its 25 April 2016 statement. In the letter outlining his plan, the Secretary-General proposed significantly expanding the office in order to provide greater support to the negotiations, the De-escalation and Coordination Committee and the implementation of any agreements emerging from peace talks such as disarmament or other security sector issues. Following the briefing, in a 26 May letter to the Secretary-General, the Council took note of his proposals for the Special Envoy’s Office. OCHA head Stephen O’Brien briefed on the humanitarian situation via video teleconference in consultations on 27 May.
April 2016
On 15 April, Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, and deputy head of OCHA, Kyung-wha Kang, briefed the Council. On 25 April, the Council adopted a presidential statement to support peace talks that had started on 21 April in Kuwait. The presidential statement called for Yemeni parties to develop a roadmap for the implementation of interim security arrangements, withdrawals, handover of heavy weapons and the restoration of state institutions and resumption of political dialogue. It further requested a plan from the Secretary-General within 30 days on how the Special Envoy’s office can support the parties, in particular regarding the roadmap. Also on 25 April, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met with the new members of its Panel of Experts.
March 2016
On 3 March, OCHA head Stephen O’Brien briefed the Council via video teleconference from Brussels on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. This was followed by consultations, where the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefed via video teleconference from Dubai. Assistant Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Kyung-wha Kang participated in the consultations. During consultations, an issue of discussion was a potential humanitarian resolution on Yemen, elements of which members had begun discussing at the adoption of the Council March programme of work. On 23 March Ould Cheikh Ahmed announced a cessation of hostilities to start on 10 April and a new round of peace talks beginning 18 April in Kuwait. Members briefly met later that day under “any other business” where the UK shared its intention to propose a Council press statement on the announcement. A Council press statement was subsequently issued that evening, which welcomed the Special Envoy’s announcement and urged all parties to reduce violence and refrain from provocative action ahead of the cessation of hostilities.
February 2016
On 16 February, OCHA head Stephen O’Brien briefed the Council on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Following consultations, Council members issued press elements urging all parties to fulfill their obligations under international humanitarian law, and to facilitate the delivery of commercial goods, humanitarian assistance and fuel for civilian purposes to all parts of Yemen. The following day, Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed briefed the Council reporting that he had not received sufficient assurances that a new cessation of hostilities would be respected. Ambassador Motohide Yoshikawa (Japan) also briefed as chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee on the recent consideration of the final report of the Committee’s Panel of Experts. Council members issued a press statement that expressed serious concern over Yemen’s humanitarian crisis, and urged all parties to the conflict in Yemen to take urgent steps towards resuming a ceasefire. On 24 February, the Council adopted resolution 2266, renewing the Yemen sanctions measures until 26 February 2017 and the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 27 March 2017.
January 2016
On 5 January, Council members were briefed on Yemen in consultations under “any other business” by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman. The briefing occurred after the Saudi-led coalition announced on 2 January that it was formally ending the cessation of hostilities. Following the meeting, Council members issued press elements, urging the sides to respect a meaningful ceasefire and to resume talks in mid-January. On 11 January, OCHA head Stephen O’Brien briefed members on the humanitarian situation, also in consultations under “any other business”. On 22 January, the Yemen 2140 Sanctions Committee met to consider the Yemen Panel of Experts final report on Yemen, which had been circulated to members earlier in the month (S/2016/73).
December 2015
On 22 December, the Council received briefings from Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, OCHA Assistant Secretary-General Kyung-wha Kang and the High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein. Departing from usual practice, Council members also delivered their statements publicly, expressing strong support for the parties to engage in negotiations and a ceasefire, as well as concerns over the humanitarian crisis and violations of international humanitarian and human rights law by all sides of the conflict. The meeting occurred just two days after the conclusion of a new round of political talks from 15-20 December between the Yemen government and a joint Houthi-General People’s Congress delegation. On 23 December, Council members issued a press statement welcoming the Yemeni parties’ participation in recent peace talks (SC/12184).
October 2015
On 23 October, the Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed and the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaité (Lithuania), briefed the Council. Ould Cheikh Ahmed reported on the recent decisions by the sides to engage in direct talks. Murmokaité reviewed the work of the 2140 Sanctions Committee since her last briefing in December 2014. Following the meeting, Council members issued a press statement welcoming the Special Envoy’s announcement of the upcoming talks and reaffirming their call for the parties to attend the talks without preconditions. On 28 October, Council members discussed humanitarian relief efforts in Yemen in an Arria-formula meeting organised by Jordan. OCHA head Stephen O’Brien and Abdullah Al-Rabiah, the chairman of the Saudi-based King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Center and adviser to the Royal Court briefed. Earlier in the month, on 9 October, the 2140 Sanctions Committee met to discuss the findings of the Panel of Experts on financial sanctions and international humanitarian law issues, which were circulated in a letter to Committee members ahead of the meeting. The Committee issued a press release on 19 October on the meeting.
September 2015
On 2 September, Council members discussed in consultations under “any other business” a possible Council mission to the region later this year to support diplomatic efforts on Yemen. Members issued a press statement on 4 September condemning the 2 September terrorist attacks in Sana’a and the killing that same day of two ICRC staff. On 10 September, the Council had a briefing in consultations with the Secretary-General’s Special Envoy for Yemen Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed on his mediation efforts in Oman and Riyadh and recent agreements from the sides to enter direct talks. The following day, Council members issued a press statement welcoming the Special Envoy’s announcement of the upcoming talks to be held in the region ahead of the Eid. These talks never materialised, when, two days later, the Yemen government said it would not participate. Council members condemned on 24 September the suicide bombing at a mosque in Sana’a. The 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee held a joint meeting with the Council’s Working Group on Children and Armed Conflict on 18 September. Special Representative of the Secretary-General for Children and Armed Conflict Leila Zerrougui briefed the two bodies on the impact of the Yemen conflict on children. On 22 September, the Committee and Working Group issued a joint press statement that summarised its meeting with Zerrougui. At the start of the month, On 1 September, the 2140 Committee held an open briefing for UN member states to raise awareness about the Yemen sanctions regime. The chair of the Committee, Ambassador Raimonda Murkmokaite (Lithuania), and the new Coordinator of the Panel, Ahmed Himmiche, briefed.
August 2015
On 12 August, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Envoy Ismael Ould Cheikh Ahmed, via video teleconference. Council members issued “press elements” following the meeting urging the parties to resolve their differences through dialogue since a military solution is not attainable and to cooperate with the Special Envoy. On 19 August, the Council was briefed by Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien following his 9-13 August visit to Yemen and Djibouti. The briefing was followed by consultations. The 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee met on 17 and 25 August. On 17 August, the Committee was briefed by the Panel of Experts on its midterm report. On 25 August, the Committee was briefed by the Regional Humanitarian Coordinator for the Yemen Crisis, Amer Daoudi, on the establishment of a verification and inspection mechanism that the UN has been negotiating between Yemen and the Saudi Arabia-led coalition to increase the flow of commercial goods, such as food and fuel, to Yemen (SC/12026).
July 2015
On 10 July, Council members issued a press statement supporting the implementation of an unconditional humanitarian pause by all parties set to begin at the end of that same day. The pause, announced by the Secretary-General on 9 July, never materialised. OCHA chief Stephen O’Brien briefed the Council on 28 July on the humanitarian situation, which was followed by consultations. O’Brien updated members on efforts to alleviate the conflict’s toll on civilians, which he described as catastrophic, while highlighting that parties to the conflict were failing to meet their responsibilities under international humanitarian and human rights law.
June 2015
On 2 June, Council members issued a press statement expressing disappointment that the 28 May Geneva talks were postponed. The statement urged Yemeni stakeholders to engage in talks without preconditions and in good faith, and endorsed the Secretary-General’s call for humanitarian pauses. The next day, Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed (via video teleconference) and Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs Stephen O’Brien briefed Council members on Yemen under “any other business” in consultations. On 18 June, Council members issued a press statement condemning the 17 June terrorist attacks in Sana’a. On 24 June, Ould Cheikh Ahmed and OCHA Operations Director John Ging briefed Council members in consultations following the conclusion of the Geneva talks. The next day, Council members issued a press statement taking note of the ‘principles’ for advancing UN-brokered consultations, and again endorsing the Secretary-General’s call for humanitarian pauses.
May 2015
On 1 May, at the request of Russia, Council members were briefed in consultations by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs Jeffrey Feltman, and Russia presented a draft press statement on the humanitarian situation in Yemen. Council members issued a UK-drafted press statement on 12 May that incorporated elements from the Russian draft and welcomed the five-day humanitarian pause in the conflict (SC/11888). On 20 May, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, via video teleconference, and Operations Director of OCHA John Ging. Afterwards, Council members issued elements to the press welcoming the Secretary-General’s announcement of consultations among all Yemeni stakeholders in Geneva on 28 May and calling on all Yemeni parties to attend these talks and engage without preconditions. At press time, the talks had been postponed.
April 2015
On 4 April, Council members held consultations where Russia proposed a draft resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses” in the fighting to facilitate evacuations of foreign nationals and deliveries of humanitarian aid. On 14 April, the Council adopted resolution 2216, which established a targeted arms embargo on the Houthis and forces loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh. It also imposed financial and travel ban sanctions against Houthi leader Abdulmalek al-Houthi and Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of the former president.
On 15 April, the UN announced the resignation of the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar. On 25 March, the UN named Benomar’s replacement, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed of Mauritania and current head of the UN Mission for Ebola Emergency Response. On 27 April, Council members held consultations on Yemen, in which they received a final briefing from Benomar, who updated the Council on the implementation of resolution 2216.
March 2015
On 3 March, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the implementation of resolution 2201 that deplored the Houthi’s actions to take over government institutions and urged negotiations to resolve the political impasse. On 20 March, Council members condemned attacks against Aden International Airport and airstrikes on the presidential compound in Aden in a press statement. Also on 20 March, Council members issued a press statement condemning suicide bombings at two Zaydi Shi’a mosques. In response to these events, an emergency meeting was held on 22 March. Benomar briefed from Doha by video teleconference. Yemen and Qatar, on behalf of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also participated. The Council adopted a presidential statement the same day condemning the Houthi’s unilateral actions and reaffirming its readiness to take further measures. On 24 March, President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi sent the Council a letter asking for a Chapter VII resolution inviting all willing countries to provide support to deter the Houthi advance in the south. He also informed the Council about his request to the GCC and other Arab countries to intervene militarily against the Houthis. That same day the Qatari mission to the UN hosted an informal meeting with Council members, outlining the elements of a resolution that GCC countries were preparing, but as of the end of March no text had been circulated. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that it was commencing airstrikes against Houthi targets with other Arab countries in response to Hadi’s request.
February 2015
On 12 February, the Council was briefed by Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, his Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar and Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani (Qatar) on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The briefing was followed by consultations. Three days later, the Council adopted resolution 2201 on 15 February in response to the political crisis. The resolution strongly deplored the Houthis’s actions to dissolve parliament on 6 February and take over government institutions, urged the acceleration of negotiations to reach a consensus solution regarding the political impasse, and placed a number of demands on the Houthis. It further requested the Secretary-General to report back on implementation of the resolution while declaring the Council’s readiness to take further measures in the case on non-implementation by any Yemeni party. On 20 February, the 2140 Yemen Panel of Experts transmitted its final report to the Council. On 24 February, the Council adopted resolution 2204, renewing the assets freeze and travel ban until 26 February 2016 and extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 25 March 2016. In a 25 February press statement, Council members welcomed that President of Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi was no longer under house arrest and demanded that the Houthis immediately release the prime minister and members of the cabinet (SC/11798).
January 2015
In response to the outbreak of fighting between the Houthis and presidential guard on 19 January, Council members held urgent consultations on 20 January with Special Adviser Jamal Benomar who briefed via video teleconference from Doha. Council members issued a press statement that condemned attack on the presidential palace and stressed that President Hadi was Yemen’s legitimate authority. On 22 January, President Hadi, the prime minister and the cabinet resigned. Council members were briefed on 26 January by Benomar under “any other business” in consultations, this time via video teleconference from Sana’a. Benomar told Council members that he was continuing to meet daily with all parties and stressed that an agreement on a way forward was possible. During the consultations, Council members were unable to agree on proposed “press elements” after Jordan, in support of the GCC position, wanted a reference to the Houthis’ role in the current crisis, which Russia objected to. Earlier in the month Council members issued a press statement on 7 January condemning a bomb attack at a police academy in Sana’a, which killed at least 37 people.
December 2014
On 11 December 2014, the Council received a briefing from the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaité (Lithuania) (S/PV.7336). Murmokaité described the Committee’s 7 November decision to adopt targeted sanctions against former President Abdullah Ali Saleh and two Houthi military commanders. The briefing was followed by consultations with the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar. Council members issued press statements condemning the 3 December bomb attack at the residence of the Iranian Ambassador to Yemen (SC/11683) and the 16 December bomb attacks in Radaa (SC/11710).
November 2014
On 8 November, the Council issued a press statement that welcomed the formation of Yemen’s new Government and urged all parties and political actors in Yemen to unite behind President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and the new cabinet to keep the country on the path to stability and security. It also recalled the decision to designate three individuals as subject to assets freeze and travel ban measures.
October 2014
Council members issued a press statement on 10 October condemning a bomb attack in Sana’a that killed at least 47 people, as well as condemning attacks against Yemeni security forces on 8 and 9 October (SC/11595). On 13 October, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed Council members in consultations. Afterwards, in elements to the press, Council members expressed their determination to address increasing terrorist attacks by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula, urged implementation of the national peace and partnership agreement, welcomed Khalid Bahah’s nomination as prime minister and agreed to consider urgently evidence to possibly sanction spoilers.
September 2014
The Council issued a press statement on 23 September that welcomed the Peace and National Partnership Agreement signed on 21 September as “the best means to stabilize the situation and prevent further violence” and underlined the need for all parties, including the Houthis, to fulfil their commitments (SC/11578). On 16 September, the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee issued a press statement encouraging the Panel of Experts to develop case studies on individuals or entities threatening Yemen’s peace, security or stability, given the pace of developments in the country (SC/11564).
August 2014
On 29 August, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar. Benomar’s briefing focused on the crisis gripping Yemen since 18 August when mass protests started in Sana’a and other cities following the call for demonstrations by Abdulmalek al-Houthi, leather of the Houthi (a Shi’a rebel group). He demanded the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and the dissolution of the government. The situation threatened to derail the ongoing political transition process. At press time, Council members were negotiating a draft presidential statement on the situation. Also on 29 August, the Council issued a presidential statement that expressed grave concern about the deterioration the security situation in Yemen in light of the actions taken by the Houthis.
July 2014
On 11 July, after being briefed by Jamal Benomar the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Yemen under “any other business”, the Council issued a press statement demanding that the Houthis withdraw and relinquish control of Amran and hand over weapons and ammunition to the government (SC/11470).
June 2014
On 20 June, the Council met in consultations with Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the worsening security situation in Yemen, as well as the implementation of the national dialogue outcomes and the economic challenges facing Yemen.
May 2014
On 5 May, the Council issued a press statement regarding the killing of a French national working at the EU delegation in Sana’a as well as other recent terrorist attacks in Yemen (SC/11381). On 14 May, Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė (Lithuania), chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, briefed the Council on progress in setting up the Committee (S/PV.7175). This included the adoption of its guidelines, the appointment of its Panel of Experts (PoE), its first meetings—including one with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)—and cooperation with other sanctions committees.
April 2014
On 24 April, Council members received a briefing in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the steps taken by Yemen to implement the recommendations of the 21 January final document of the National Dialogue Conference.
March 2014
The Council issued a press statement on 25 March condemning the 24 March terrorist attack in Hadramout that killed 20 soldiers (SC/11336).
February 2014
On 26 February the Council adopted a resolution (S/RES/2140) expressing its strong support for completing the next steps of the transition, in line with the Implementation Mechanism, including the drafting of a new constitution, the adoption of a new electoral law, the holding of a referendum and general elections and the transition of the structure of the state from unitary to federal. The resolution established a sanctions regime, a sanctions committee and a four-member panel of experts and included among the designation criteria undermining the successful completion of the political transition, impeding the implementation of the final report of the NDC or being responsible for human rights abuses in Yemen. The resolution stops short of listing anyone (even though former President Ali Abdullah Saleh or former Vice-President Ali Salim Al-Beidh were named in a 15 February 2013 presidential statement (S/PRST/2013/3) in the context of the Council’s expressing its readiness to impose sanctions). The Council also expressed its concern over reported serious human rights abuses and violence against civilians in both the northern and southern governorates, including al-Dhale’e.
January 2014
On 28 January, Council members were briefed by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the conclusion of the National Dialogue Conference and the next steps ahead of Yemen’s political transition.
December 2013
On 5 December, the Council issued a press statement condemning the attack on the Defence Ministry and hospital in Sana’a that caused numerous deaths and injuries.
November 2013
Special Adviser to the Secreatary-General on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed Council membesr in consultations on 27 November on the last stages of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) and the challenges ahead for the Yemeni transition, including the security threats posed by sectarian violence and terrorist attacks by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula. The same day the Council issued a press statement emphasising the importance of concluding the NDC as soon as possible to move toward constitution drafting and electoral preparations.
September 2013
On 27 September, the Council was briefed by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar and the Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani. Both Benomar and Al-Zayani addressed the last stages of Yemen’s National Dialogue Conference and challenges to the political transition, including threats posed by Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
June 2013
On 11 June, the Council was briefed by Jamal Benomar, the Special Adviser on Yemen, mainly on the closure of the first plenary session of the National Dialogue Conference, as well as on the work of its working groups and consensus committee. The briefing was followed by consultations.
April 2013
On 4 April, Council members received a briefing in consultations by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Yemen, Jamal Benomar, mainly on the National Dialogue Conference that opened on 18 March. On 12 April, the Council issued a press statement welcoming Yemen’s reorganisation of the military and calling on “all parties to support the President’s decrees and to work to ensure their prompt implementation.” Also in April, the Iran Panel of Experts reported to the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee on its investigation of allegations presented by Yemen that it had intercepted a ship in January carrying missiles and rockets from Iran destined for Yemeni rebel groups.
February 2013
On 7 February, the Council was briefed by Ambassadors Mohammed Loulichki (Morocco) and Mark Lyall Grant (UK), co-leads of the Security Council visit to Yemen on 27 January. Both confirmed the achievement of the mission’s objectives, which were to evaluate implementation of resolution 2051 and to assess progress on political transition. Following this, Council members received a briefing in consultations from Special Adviser Jamal Benomar. On 15 February, after negotiations on references to reports of money and weapons being brought into Yemen from outside the country, the Council adopted a presidential statement welcoming the announcement of the National Dialogue Conference, highlighting the importance of inclusivity during the transition process and stressing the transition proceed according to the original timeline. The Panel of Experts that monitors compliance with the 1737 Iran sanctions regime arrived in Sana’a on 22 February to investigate the 23 January incident during which the Yemeni coast guard intercepted a ship carrying missiles and rockets allegedly sent by Iran for the purpose of undermining the transition.
January 2013
On 27 January, Council members visited Yemen and met with President Hadi, parliamentarians, civil society and Gulf Cooperation Council members. The mission—co-led by the UK and Morocco and composed of all 15 members—represented the first Council visiting mission to Yemen and its first visit to the Middle East in five years.
December 2012
On 4 December, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed the Council, highlighting the breakthrough agreement on the allocation of seats for the forthcoming National Dialogue Conference.
September 2012
On 13 September, Council members issued a press statement condemning the 11 September terrorist attack in Sana’a. On 18 September, Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed Council members in consultations on challenges to Yemen’s transition process as well as other political, humanitarian and security issues. Benomar also updated the Council on the national dialogue conference as well as security reforms. Following a high-level “Friends of Yemen” meeting held on the margins of the General Assembly on 27 September, Council members issued a press statement commending Yemen’s progress in implementing its transition agreement and called upon all parties to continue to honour the timetable set out in the agreement and for all sides to act in a spirit of reconciliation.
August 2012
In a 7 August statement, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar said Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s 6 August decrees concerning the restructuring of the security sector was an important step towards creating “the necessary conditions and take the necessary steps to integrate the armed forces under unified, national and professional leadership in the context of the rule of law.”
July 2012
Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed Council members on 17 July in consultations. He noted that several political, humanitarian and security challenges continued to hamper the transition process and described interference from former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his kinsmen as a key obstacle to stability.
June 2012
The Council unanimously adopted resolution 2051 on 12 June, expressing its “readiness to consider further measures, including under Article 41” should actions to undermine the government of National Unity and the political transition continue. The Secretary-General notified the Security Council of his intention to establish a small office of the Special Adviser on Yemen for an initial period of 12 months.
May 2012
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on Yemen briefed the Council on 29 May, followed by closed consultations. Earlier in the month the Council issued a press statement condemning a suicide attack killing 96 soldiers in Sana’a on 21 May. Friends of Yemen met at ministerial-level on 23 May.
March 2012
The Council adopted a presidential statement on 29 March voicing its concern over the deteriorating situation since the transfer of power, following the 21 February presidential elections, to Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and stressing the need for all political actors to remain committed to the political transition. Earlier this month the Secretary-General’s Special adviser briefed the Council on 7 March after a visit to Yemen. That same day the Council issued a press statement condemning the terrorist attacks of 4 March in the town of Zinjibar in Abyan province . Meanwhile, the Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling upon the parties in Yemen to release persons arbitrarily detained by them and to end practices of unlawful detention.
February 2012
Presidential elections took place on 21 February, and Vice President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi was inaugurated as President on 25 February. Members of the Council issued a press statement on 22 February acknowledging the significance of the political transition through presidential elections and encouraging a fully inclusive national dialogue, the constitutional review and other pending issues.
January 2012
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser briefed the Council on 25 January after extensive travel in the region and within Yemen. The Council issued a press statement that same day welcoming the formation of the Government of National Unity and calling for peaceful elections on 21 February.
December 2011
The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser briefed the Council on 21 December. Members of the Council issued a press statement the following day welcoming the formation of the Government of National Unity while reiterating the call for the implementation of the GCC initiative and the implementation mechanism in a timely fashion. Click here for more details.
November 2011
President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative on 23 November in Riyadh after negotiating an implementation mechanism, initiating the transition of power from Saleh to Vice President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi during an interim period leading up to elections.The Secretary-General’s Special Adviser and the Deputy Director for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs briefed the Council on 28 November on the situation in Yemen.That same day the Council issued a press statement welcoming the signing of the GCC initiative and urging all parties to honour the timetable in the implementation of the agreement.
October 2011
On 21 October the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2014 with key elements focusing on the GCC initiative for a transfer of power in Yemen, concern over the activities of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the need for humanitarian assistance.
September 2011
On 24 September Council members issued a press statement urging all sides to reject the violence that had erupted on Saleh’s surprise return to Yemen the previous day after undergoing surgery and medical treatment in Saudi Arabia. Earlier that month, the Council heard from DPA on GCC efforts and the presidential decree signed by Saleh empowering Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to negotiate “a transfer mechanism” with the opposition.
August 2011
The Council was briefed by the Secretary-General’s Special Adviser on 9 August. Following the briefing, the Council issued a press statement expressing their concern at the serious deterioration of the situation urging all parties to move forward whilst acknowledging the importance of the GCC initiative.
June 2011
On 24 June the Council was briefed by the UN envoy and issued a press statement expressing grave concern at the deteriorating situation and welcomed the mediation efforts by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
May 2011
On 17 May the Council was briefed by the UN envoy during a briefing by the Department of Political Affairs on emerging issues.
April 2011
On 19 April the Council was first briefed on Yemen by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe and the UN envoy.
February 2011
A wave of anti-government social protests in Yemen started on 3 February.
