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United Nations

Yemen's Houthi Rebels Agree to Cease Fighting Under UN Resolution

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The United Nations (UN) announced that Shiite rebels in Yemen, known as the Houthis, have agreed to stop fighting in accordance with a recent UN Security Council resolution. The resolution, adopted on April 14, calls for an end to violence, withdrawal of Houthi forces from all seized areas, and a halt to undermining the political transition in Yemen. The UN special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, welcomed the Houthis' latest statements accepting the resolution and will be returning to the region to facilitate peace talks between the government, the Houthis, and their allies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The UN Security Council resolution adopted on April 14 imposes an arms embargo on Houthi leaders and their key supporters, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son.
  • The resolution calls for an end to violence, withdrawal of Houthi forces from all areas they have seized, and a halt to undermining the political transition in Yemen.
  • The UN special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, will be returning to the region to facilitate peace talks between the government, the Houthis, and their allies.
  • The peace talks will be based on Security Council resolutions, an initiative by the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the country's National Dialogue.
  • Several previous attempts to end the conflict have failed, and it has proven nearly impossible to arrange a humanitarian pause to deliver desperately needed aid.
  • The fighting has killed more than 4,000 people, leaving the Arab world's poorest country in the grip of a humanitarian crisis and on the brink of famine.
  • Yemen's conflict pits President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi against the Iranian-backed Houthis and military units loyal to ex-president Saleh.
  • A Saudi-led and US-backed coalition has been launching airstrikes against the Houthis and their allies since March 26, 2015.
  • Pro-government troops, backed by the coalition of Sunni Arab nations, have regained strategic ground from the rebels, including the southern port of Aden.

Statistics:

  • Over 4,000 people have been killed in the conflict.
  • Yemen is facing a humanitarian crisis and is on the brink of famine.
  • The UN Security Council resolution adopted on April 14 calls for the Houthi rebels to withdraw their forces from all areas they have seized.
  • The resolution also imposes an arms embargo on Houthi leaders and their key supporters, former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his son.

Sources:

  • Stephane Dujarric, U.N. spokesman, "U.N. Seeks End to Yemen Conflict"
  • Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN special envoy for Yemen, "Welcomed the Houthis' latest statements accepting the resolution"
  • UN Security Council resolution 2140 (2014)
  • UN Security Council resolution 2216 (2015)

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