U.N. Backs Yemen in Fight against Shiite Rebels
The U.N. Security Council on Friday called on Shiite rebels in Yemen to end their armed uprising against the government and warned of sanctions.
In a statement adopted unanimously, the 15-member council condemned actions by the Huthis who are demanding the resignation of the government of President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi.
It called on the rebels to "cease all armed hostilities against the government of Yemen" in the northern al Jawf region, withdraw their forces from Amran and dismantle checkpoints and camps set up around the capital Sanaa.
The appeal came after tens of thousands of Huthi supporters rallied in Sanaa to press demands for the government's ouster, while leader Abdulmalik al-Huthi vowed to step up his campaign.
The rebels have had armed fighters camped around Sanaa for the past week and held protests almost throughout August.
The council said targeted sanctions such as an assets freeze or travel ban could be slapped on those who threaten the stability of Yemen.
It noted "with concern that the Huthis and others continue to stoke the conflict in the north in an attempt to obstruct the political transition" and called on countries to "refrain from external interference" in Yemen.
Yemen authorities have accused Iran of backing the Huthi uprising.
Yemen has been locked in a protracted transition since long-time strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh was forced from power in February 2012 after a deadly 11-month uprising.
Plans for a six-region federation have been rejected by both the Huthis and southern separatists, and the government is also battling al-Qaida militants mostly in the south and east.
Source: Agence France Presse
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