UN Security Council Demands Houthi Rebels Relinquish Control Of Yemen Government, End Violence

The United Nations Security Council on Sunday unanimously adopted a resolution demanding that Shiite rebels immediately relinquish control of Yemen’s government in a crisis that has pushed the Arab world’s poorest country near collapse.

Arab countries have been pressing for the use of military force against what they call the rebel group’s “illegitimate seizure of power.” But the resolution approved by all 15 council members at an emergency meeting does not act under Chapter 7 of the U.N. Charter, which would allow it to be militarily enforced.

The resolution, co-sponsored by 10 countries including the United States, demands that the Houthi rebels “immediately and unconditionally” withdraw forces from government institutions and engage “in good faith” in U.N.-led peace talks.

Yemeni officials say Saudi Arabia, a staunch U.S. ally, was sending arms and funds to tribesmen in Yemen’s Marib province to bolster them against the rebels. Saudi Arabia has not commented about the claims.

The Egyptians and Saudis are coordinating a joint military response to deal with any eventuality in Yemen, including the disruption of shipping through the corridor that runs past Yemen to Egypt’s Suez Canal, according to Egyptian security officials. The officials in both Yemen and Egypt spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to talk to the media.

The Huffington Post