UN presses Houthis to give up power in Yemen

The Security Council resolution demands the Houthis “immediately and unconditionally” engage in “good faith” in UN-brokered negotiations, withdraw their forces from government institutions and relinquish power.

Supporters of Houthi Shiites shout slogans while marching on a street as they celebrate the fourth anniversary of the uprising in Sanaa, Yemen, Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015. The United States, Britain andShow more

Sanaa // The United Nations Security Council on Sunday urged Yemen’s Houthis to cede power, release President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi and negotiate in “good faith,” after the Shiite militia vowed to defy the body’s “threats.”

Yemen has descended into chaos since the Houthis overran the capital in September.

In another city they captured last year, Ibb in central Yemen, Houthis fired on hundreds of protesters to disperse them on Sunday, wounding several.

Militiamen also clashed with Sunni tribes east of the central city of Baida, which the Houthis have been trying to overrun as they extend their influence.

Tribal sources said at least 12 Houthis were killed, but there was no independent confirmation of the toll.

On February 6, the Houthis ousted the government and dissolved parliament, tightening their grip after Mr Hadi resigned in protest at their advance.

UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that Yemen is falling apart and called for Mr Hadi’s reinstatement.

Nine Arab and Western countries shuttered their embassies in Yemen last week and evacuated diplomats because of security concerns.

In its resolution, the Security Council demanded that the Houthis “immediately and unconditionally” engage in “good faith” in UN-brokered negotiations, withdraw their forces from government institutions and relinquish power.

The text, adopted unanimously by all 15 council members, also demanded that the militia release Mr Hadi, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah and other officials and activists under house arrest or in detention.

All parties must “accelerate inclusive UN-brokered negotiations” and set a date for a constitutional referendum and elections, the resolution added.

It raised the possibility of sanctions, without going as far as Gulf countries, which have demanded coercive measures under Chapter Seven of the UN Charter.

Western diplomats said Russia, which is already under US and European sanctions over its annexation of Crimea and backing of rebels in eastern Ukraine, was reluctant to vote for sanctions.

It was the council’s first resolution on Yemen since the Houthis grabbed power in a move the United States and GCC countries described as a “coup.”

The GCC said on Saturday it would act if the rival factions in Yemen fail to resolve their differences.

The 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) voiced support for the GCC statement, and the Arab League said it will hold an emergency meeting on Yemen on Wednesday.

Houthi spokesman Mohammed Abdulsalam, quoted by the official, militia-controlled Saba news agency, insisted that “the Yemeni people won’t cede power in the face of threats.”

He denounced as “provocative blackmail” demands for the Huthis to relinquish power and criticised the withdrawal of ambassadors.

*Agence France-Presse