Barran Press
The UN Security Council on Monday, July 8th, 2024, unanimously voted to extend the mandate of the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) for another 12 months.
The UN announced the decision in a statement, noting that the Council adopted Resolution 2742 (2024), extending UNMHA's mandate until July 14th, 2025. The resolution mandates the Secretary-General to submit monthly reports on progress in implementing the resolution and to provide the Council with a review of UNMHA at least one month before the end of its mandate.
The Council emphasized its intention to review UNMHA's mandate and make any necessary adjustments based on developments on the ground, including a permanent nationwide ceasefire.
Following the vote, the UK government issued a statement on its official website, supporting the decision and outlining its reasoning. The UK expressed gratitude to the Council for demonstrating unity in extending UNMHA's mandate for 12 months.
The UK statement highlighted that the resolution sends a clear message about the continued importance of the ceasefire in Hodeidah and the commitment to upholding it. It recognized UNMHA's vital role in maintaining critical humanitarian and commercial routes to the ports of Hodeidah, Salif, and Ras Isa, including supporting disarmament efforts in these Red Sea ports.
The statement further emphasized the need for an end to the Houthi group's ongoing restrictions on UNMHA's movement and the proliferation of weapons in Hodeidah.
The UK reiterated its commitment to achieving a sustainable peace and long-term stability in Yemen, including through supporting the UN-led process for a comprehensive political settlement.
The US representative stated that the resolution will allow UNMHA to continue its patrols in Red Sea ports. The US also highlighted the need to monitor conflict-affected areas in Hodeidah.
The US renewed its condemnation of the Houthi group's "blatant" attacks on international shipping and stressed the importance of implementing Resolution 2722 (2024). The US expressed concern about the Iranian source of weapons used by the Houthis.
"While Iran denies these violations, state-controlled media have touted the country's provision of prohibited ballistic missile technology to the Houthis," the US statement said. "UN experts have corroborated this. We call on Iran to cease illicit arms transfers."
The US also expressed concern about the Houthi group's detention of 45 UN and NGO personnel.
UNMHA was established on January 16th, 2019, under Security Council Resolution 2452, shortly after the signing of the Stockholm Agreement in December 2018 between the Yemeni government and the Houthi group, which was designated as a terrorist organization by several countries. The agreement resulted in a ceasefire in Hodeidah.
The Stockholm Agreement included a deal for the redeployment of forces, the disarmament of the port city of Hodeidah, a mechanism for prisoner exchanges, and an understanding to de-escalate fighting and open roads in Taiz governorate.
Since April 2022, Yemen has witnessed a period of relative calm after a war that began nearly 10 years ago between forces loyal to the legitimate government and Houthi forces, who have controlled provinces and cities, including the capital Sana'a, since 2014.