United Nations Security Council Resolution 2624 – The situation in the Middle East (Yemen)
Resolution 2624 (2022)
The Security Council,
Recalling all its previous relevant resolutions and statements of its President concerning Yemen,
Reaffirming its strong commitment to the unity, sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity of Yemen,
Strongly condemning the ongoing military escalation, including in Marib city, that has led to a growing number of civilians killed and maimed, including children, and has threatened internally displaced persons and other vulnerable populations in the area,
Reaffirming its press statement dated 21 January 2022 that condemned in the strongest terms the heinous terrorist attacks in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, on 17 January 2022, as well as in other sites in Saudi Arabia, that were claimed and committed by the Houthis,
Expressing grave alarm at the stated intention of the Houthis to launch additional cross-border attacks, including against civilian targets, and demanding that they cease immediately,
Calling for immediate de-escalation across Yemen by all parties to the conflict without preconditions as well as a nationwide ceasefire, and calling forimplementation of the Secretary-General’s Global Ceasefire call as detailed in resolutions 2532 (2020) and 2565 (2021) as well as his ongoing calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities in Yemen,
Calling on all the stakeholders and all the varied and multiple parties, including inter alia and not limited to the Government of Yemen and the Houthis, t o meet with the Special Envoy and participate constructively in ongoing framework consultations, as well as broader peace efforts, without preconditions,
Expressing concern at the ongoing political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges in Yemen, including the ongoing violence, enforced disappearances and threats arising from the illicit transfer, diversion, destabilising accumulation, and misuse of weapons,
Emphasising the environmental and humanitarian risk, and to navigation in the Red Sea, posed by the condition of the Safer oil tanker, which is located in the Houthi -controlled areas, and stressing Houthi responsibility for the situation and for not responding to this major environmental, humanitarian, and navigational risk, and underscoring the need for the Houthis to continue close cooperation with the United Nations to achieve an urgent solution,
Reiterating its call for all parties in Yemen to adhere to resolving their differences through dialogue and consultation, reject acts of violence to achieve political goals, and refrain from provocation, and calling for an immediate end to incitement to violence by the Houthis against any group or nationality, as documented in annex 10 of the Panel of Experts report (S/2022/50),
Reaffirming the need for all parties to comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law and international human rights law as applicable, and underlining the need to ensure accountability for violations of international humanitarian law and violations and abuses of human rights in Yemen,
Expressing deep concern about the serious humanitarian threat posed to civilians by explosive remnants of war including landmines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) in Yemen and calling on the Houthis to take measures to stop the indiscriminate use of weapons that have indiscriminate effects (such as landmines), to record their placement, and to remove existing landmines from areas under their control,
Expressing its support for and commitment to the work of the Special Envoy of the Secretary -General for Yemen in support of the Yemeni transition process, and an inclusive Yemeni-led and Yemeni-owned political process, under UN auspices,
Demanding the full, equal, and meaningful participation of women in the peace process, and the need for full implementation of Yemen’s Women, Peace, and Security National Action Plan in accordance with resolution 1325 (2000), and recalling with satisfaction the 30 per cent minimum quota for women in the National Dialogue Conference,
Condemning sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual violence in conflict and torture, and particularly in detention facilities, and stressing the need for sufficient and appropriate protections for women and girls in refugee camps and elsewhere, including adequate provision of sex-separated facilities for women such as latrines, as well as for remedy and assistance for survivors of sexual violence in conflict as detailed in resolution 2467 (2019),
Calling once again for the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and underlining the need for the Southern Transitional Council and the Government of Yemen to refrain from taking actions that undermine the Riyadh Agreement,
Expressing its alarm that areas of Yemen remain under the control of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) and about the negative impact of their presence, violent extremist ideology and actions on stability in Yemen, the Middle East region, and the Horn of Africa, including the devastating humanitarian impact on the civilian populations, expressing concern at the increasing presence and future potential growth of the Islamic State in Iraq and Levant (ISIL, also known as Da’esh) affiliates in Yemen, and reaffirming its resolve to address all aspects of the threat posed by AQAP, ISIL (Da’esh), and all other associated individuals, groups, undertakings and entities,
Recalling the listing of AQAP and associated individuals on the ISIL (Da’esh ) and Al-Qaida Sanctions List and stressing in this regard the need for robust implementation of the measures in paragraph 1 of resolution 2368 (2017) as a significant tool in combating terrorist activity in Yemen,
Noting the critical importance of effective implementation of the sanctions regime imposed pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) and resolution 2216 (2015), including the key role that Member States from the region can play in this regard,
Taking note of the Panel of Experts’ final report (S/2022/50), and the findings contained therein confirming weapons were transferred to Yemen,
Taking note of the efforts of the Panel of Experts on Yemen established pursuan t to resolution 2140 (2014),
Expressing grave concern at the threat to peace and security in Yemen arising from the illicit transfer, destabilising accumulation, and misuse of small arms and light weapons,
Recalling the provisions of paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) imposing a targeted arms embargo, and calling on all Member States and other actors to comply with their obligations under the targeted arms embargo,
Encouraging regional cooperation over land and at seas to detect and prevent violations of the targeted arms embargo imposed pursuant to resolution 2216 (2015)and subsequent resolutions, as well as reporting any cases of violations in a timely manner to the Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014),
Condemning in the strongest terms the increasing number of incidents off the coast of Yemen, including attacks on civilian and commercial ships as well as arbitrary or unlawful seizure and detention of commercial vessels, which poses a significant risk to the maritime security of vessels in the Gulf of Aden and Red Sea along the coast of Yemen, and expressing concern over maritime smuggling of arms and related materials into and out of Yemen in violation of the targeted arms embargo,
Demanding the immediate release of the crew of the vessel Rawabee, which includes nationals of India, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Myanmar and the Philippines, and who have been under Houthi detention since 2 January 2022, as well as the immediate release of UN staff detained by the Houthis, and recalling its condemnation of the intrusion into the compound formerly used as the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, during which dozens of local employees were detained, and its call for the immediate and safe release of all those still under detention,
Condemning in the strongest terms violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, as well as human rights abuses, including those involving conflict-related sexual violence in Houthi-controlled areas, and the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict, including in schools, summer camps and mosques, as recorded in the Panel of Experts’ final report (S/2022/50),
Expressing serious concern at the devastating humanitarian situation in Yemen, including the growing risk of large-scale famine and the negative consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic, and all instances of undue hindrances to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance as well as obstacles and the undue limitations on the delivery of vital goods to the civilian population occurring throughout Yemen, which is preventing vulnerable people from receiving the assistance they need to survive,
Emphasising the Security Council’s commitment to facilitating commercial imports through Yemen’s ports and noting Yemen’s very strong dependence on commercial imports of food, fuel and other essential commodities to meet civilians’ basic survival needs, as well as the essential role of private remittances from Yemenis working abroad that support civilian families with no other source of income,
Calling on the parties to the conflict to take measures to prevent the further fragmentation of Yemen’s economy, including banking and financial institutions,
Emphasising the necessity of discussion by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of resolution 2140 (2014) (“Committee”) of the recommendations contained in the Panel of Experts reports,
Stressing the importance of Member States providing timely and up to date information to the Committee on possible arms embargo violations in order to identify and combat illicit trafficking sources and supply chains,
Determining that the situation in Yemen continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security,
Acting under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations,
- Strongly condemns the cross-border attacks by the Houthi terrorist group, including attacks on Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates striking civilians and civilian infrastructure, and demanding the immediate cessation of such attacks;
2. Reaffirms the need for the full and timely implementation of the political transition following the comprehensive National Dialogue Conference, in line with the Gulf Cooperation Council Initiative and Implementation Mechanism, and in accordance with its previous relevant resolutions, and with regard to the expectations of the Yemeni people, and which will require all parties to end the con flict and choose Yemen’s future via a political process that includes and meets the legitimate aspirations of all Yemen’s multiple and varied parties;
3. Emphasises that there is no military solution to the current conflict and that the only viable path forward is dialogue and reconciliation among the multiple and varied parties including but not limited to the Government of Yemen and the Houthis, Yemen’s major political and regional parties, and women, youth and civil society;
4. Decides to renew until 28 February 2023 the measures imposed by paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), reaffirms the provisions of paragraphs 12, 13, 14 and 16 of resolution 2140 (2014), and further reaffirms the provisions of paragraphs 14 to 17 of resolution 2216 (2015);
5. Decides that the entity listed in the annex of this resolution shall be subject to the measures imposed by paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015);
6. Emphasises the importance of facilitating humanitarian assistance and facilitating commercial imports, noting that the measures imposed by resolutions 2140 (2014) and 2216 (2015) are not intended to have adverse humanitarian consequences for the civilian population of Yemen, nor civilian access to humanitarian assistance, commercial imports or remittances, and reaffirms its decision that the Committee established in paragraph 19 of resolution 2140 (2014)(hereafter, the “Committee”) may, on a case-by-case basis, exempt any activity from the sanctions measures imposed by the Security Council in resolutions 2140 (2014)and 2216 (2015) if the Committee determines that such an exemption is necessary to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of these resolutions;
7. Encourages Member States to support capacity building efforts of the Yemeni Coast Guard to effectively implement the measures imposed by paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015), with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen;
8. Calls on Member States to increase efforts to combat the smuggling of weapons and components via land and sea routes, to ensure implementation of the targeted arms embargo;
9. Emphasises that States should ensure that all measures taken by them to implement this resolution comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, international human rights law, and international refugee law, as applicable;
Designation Criteria
10. Reaffirms that the provisions of paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014) and paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) shall apply to individuals or entities designated by the Committee, or listed in the annexes to resolutions 2216 (2015) and 2564 (2021), as engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen;
11. Reaffirms the designation criteria set out in paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014) and paragraph 19 of resolution 2216 (2015);
12. Reaffirms that sexual violence in armed conflict, or violations against children in armed conflict such as the recruitment or use of children in armed conflict in violation of international law, could constitute an act, as specified in paragraph 18 (c)of resolution 2140 (2014), and therefore a sanctionable act of engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen, as described in paragraph 17 of that resolution;
13. Affirms that the designation criteria set out in paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014) may include cross-border launches from Yemen using ballistic and cruise missile technology;
14. Affirms that the designation criteria set out in paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2140) may include attacks on merchant vessels in the Red Sea or Gulf of Aden by parties to the conflict;Reporting
15. Decides to extend until 28 March 2023 the mandate of the Panel of Experts as set out in paragraph 21 of resolution 2140 (2014), and paragraph 21 of resolution 2216 (2015), expresses its intention to review the mandate and take appropriate action regarding the further extension no later than 28 February 2023, and requests the Secretary-General to take the necessary administrative measures as expeditiously as possible to re-establish the Panel of Experts, in consultation with the Committee until 28 March 2023 drawing, as appropriate, on the expertise of the members of the Panel established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014);
16. Requests the Panel of Experts to provide a midterm update to the Committee no later than 28 July 2022, and a final report no later than 28 January 2023 to the Security Council, after discussion with the Committee, and also that they include information, as appropriate, inter alia about recent trends in the illicit transfer and diversion of conventional weapons and about the commercially available components which have been used by individuals or entities designated by the Committee to assemble unmanned aerial vehicles, water-borne improvised explosive devices, and other weapon systems, and bearing in mind that this request should not have an adverse impact on humanitarian assistance or legitimate commercial activities and takes note of the Report (S/2022/50) in this regard;
17. Directs the Panel to cooperate with other relevant expert groups established by the Security Council to support the work of its Sanctions Committees, in particular the Analytical Support and Sanctions Monitoring Team established by resolution 1526 (2004) and extended by resolution 2610 (2021);
18. Urges all parties and all Member States, as well as international, regional and subregional organisations to ensure cooperation with the Panel of Experts, and further urges all Member States involved to ensure the safety of the members of the Panel of Experts and unhindered access, in particular to persons, documents and sites, in order for the Panel of Experts to execute its mandate;
19. Emphasises the importance of holding consultations with concerned Member States, as may be necessary, in order to ensure full implementation of the measures set forth in this resolution;
20. Condemns the continued supply of weapons and components to Yemen in violation of the targeted arms embargo established by paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015), as a serious threat to peace and stability in Yemen and the region;
21. Urges all Member States to respect and implement their obligations to prevent the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to, or for, the benefit of designated individuals and entities and those acting on their behalf or at their direction in Yemen, of arms and related materiel of all types, as set out in paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015);
22. Recalls the Informal Working Group on General Issues of Sanctions report (S/2006/997) on best practices and methods, including paragraphs 21, 22 and 23 that discuss possible steps for clarifying methodological standards for monitoring mechanisms;
23. Reaffirms its intention to keep the situation in Yemen under continuous review and its readiness to review the appropriateness of the measures contained in this resolution, including the strengthening, modification, suspension or lifting of the measures, as may be needed at any time in light of developments;
24. Decides to remain actively seized of the matter.
Adopted by the Security Council at its 8981st meeting, on 28 February 2022.
