Barran Press
The Yemeni government on Tuesday, July 23, 2024, reminded the UN Security Council of its resolutions concerning Yemen, urging the council to implement them, particularly Resolution 2216.
This call was made in a statement delivered by Yemen's permanent representative to the UN, Ambassador Abdullah Al-Saadi, during an open session of the Security Council on the situation in the Middle East (Yemen) held in New York.
The statement emphasized that the implementation of international resolutions is the "only way to protect and preserve international peace and security," calling for support for the government to complete the restoration of its authority over the entire national territory.
Regarding Israeli aggression and its violation of Yemeni sovereignty, the statement condemned it as a "blatant violation of the UN Charter, international law, and all international norms and laws," holding Israel fully responsible for any consequences of its airstrikes.
The government demanded that the Houthis cease seeking foreign intervention, stop their destructive practices, all forms of violence and military escalation, and their persistent attempts to sabotage peace efforts. It warned the Houthis against prolonging the war in Yemen and the region, jeopardizing regional and international security and peace, and dragging the Yemeni people into their futile battles to serve the interests of the Iranian regime and its expansionist project in the region.
The Yemeni government also warned Iran and Israel against any attempt to turn Yemeni territory into a battleground for their wars and subversive projects in the region through rogue militias.
The statement cautioned against a return to a full-scale escalation, which would only exacerbate the prolonged humanitarian suffering, destroy the remaining resources and livelihoods of the Yemeni people, and undermine regional and international efforts to end the war, restore peace, stability, and development.
The Yemeni government reaffirmed its commitment to peace and its continued support for regional and international efforts, particularly the diligent mediation efforts of the sisterly Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman, as well as the efforts of the UN Secretary-General's Special Envoy, aimed at achieving a just and comprehensive peace based on the agreed-upon political solutions, namely the Gulf Initiative and its implementation mechanism, the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, and relevant Security Council resolutions, foremost among them Resolution 2216.
The government warned against the continued violations by the Houthi militias against humanitarian and relief work in areas under their control, the latest being the kidnapping and detention of dozens of UN agency and international and local non-governmental organization employees, both women and men, from their homes, the looting of their belongings, the terrorizing of their families, and their enforced disappearance.
It also warned of the dangers of overlooking these violations, through which the Houthi militias seek to serve their political agenda, exploit humanitarian aid to serve their security and military objectives and turn areas under their control into prisons for anyone who opposes their policies.
In light of this, the government demanded the relocation of UN agencies and international organizations to the temporary capital, Aden, to alleviate the pressure imposed by the Houthis on the work of these organizations, ensure a suitable and safe environment for them to carry out their duties free from interference, and allow them to continue their humanitarian work without restrictions or obstacles, delivering humanitarian aid to those in need and the most vulnerable.
The statement expressed the government's regret at the measures taken by UN offices in Yemen to protect their staff and save their lives, emphasizing that these measures have not been sufficient or expected thus far and do not rise to the level of the danger threatening their lives and freedom.
The statement touched upon the continued detention by the Houthi terrorist militias since June 25, 2024, of four aircraft (out of a total of seven) belonging to Yemenia Airways, along with their crews. This adds to the obstacles and transgressions that the militias have been perpetrating against Yemenia Airways, the national carrier for passengers to and from Yemen, since the resumption of flights from Sana'a Airport.
The statement noted that the Houthis are still freezing the company's accounts, holding over $100 million since March 2023.
It pointed out that the current problem facing Yemenia Airways is a consequence of operating flights to and from Sana'a Airport, as part of the UN-sponsored humanitarian truce since April 2022. In this regard, it called on the Security Council to assume its responsibilities and take the necessary measures and actions to compel the Houthi militias to end these practices and transgressions against Yemenia Airways, immediately release the detained aircraft and their technical crews, and unfreeze their frozen accounts, to prevent the cessation of the national carrier's operations to and from Yemen and the exacerbation of the suffering of Yemenis.
The statement stated that there are potential opportunities for progress, particularly with the support of regional and international partners within a comprehensive program for economic recovery, reconstruction, and the achievement of sustainable development goals.
The statement reiterated the Yemeni government's welcome of the statement by the UN Special Envoy regarding the revocation of recent decisions against a number of banks and the banking sector, the resumption of air travel through Sana'a International Airport, and its facilitation to other destinations as needed.
The government views this initiative as a way to alleviate the suffering of the Yemeni people and hopes that the announced agreement will lead to the creation of conducive conditions for constructive dialogue to end all Houthi destructive practices against the banking sector, the economy, and the national currency, and to fulfill the commitments outlined in the roadmap, foremost among them the resumption of oil exports.
The statement expressed the government's regret at the failure of the recent prisoner and detainee negotiations held in the sisterly Sultanate of Oman and the sabotage of opportunities for any exchange during this round due to the intransigence of the Houthi militias. It called on the Security Council and the international community to assume their humanitarian responsibilities and pressure these militias to complete and address this humanitarian file, reaffirming the government's unwavering position on the release of all prisoners, detainees, and those forcibly disappeared according to the principle of all for all.