NEW YORK: The UN Security Council has imposed sanctions on a top Houthi security official in the Yemeni city of Sanaa, citing his prominent role in intimidations, systematic arrests, detentions, torture, sexual violence 鈥渁nd rape against politically active women.鈥�
A resolution adopted by a vote of 14-0, with Russia abstaining, said Sultan Saleh Aida Aida Zabin, director of the Criminal Investigation Department in Sanaa, was directly or by virtue of his authority responsible for using multiple places of detention including police stations, prisons and detention centers for human rights abuses.
鈥淚n these sites, women, including at least one minor, were forcibly disappeared, repeatedly interrogated, raped, tortured, denied timely medical treatment and subjected to forced labor,鈥� the council said in imposing a travel ban and arms embargo. 鈥淶abin himself directly inflicted torture in some cases.鈥�
It added that Zabin 鈥渆ngaged in acts that threaten the peace, security and stability of Yemen, including violations of applicable international humanitarian law and human rights abuses in Yemen.鈥�
Resolution 2564 strongly condemned 鈥渧iolations 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 recruitment and use of children in armed conflict across Yemen, as recorded in the Panel of Experts鈥� final report.鈥�
The council welcomed the formation of the new cabinet of Yemen鈥檚 government under the provisions of the Riyadh Agreement, calling 鈥渇or the full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement (and) calling for the swift resumption of talks between the parties, in full engagement with UN mediation efforts.鈥�
Council members also condemned 鈥渋n the strongest terms鈥� last year鈥檚 attack on Aden that killed 27 civilians, including a Yemeni deputy minister and three humanitarian and health personnel.
The council strongly condemned the ongoing escalation of violence in Yemen鈥檚 oil-rich central province of Marib between the Houthis and government forces, and the continuation of Houthi attacks on 黑料社区.
The resolution stressed the need 鈥渇or de-escalation across Yemen and a nationwide cease-fire.鈥�
Regarding the imminent disaster posed by the Houthis鈥� refusal to allow a UN inspection of the Safer oil tanker, which has been moored off the war-torn country鈥檚 coast and is loaded with more than a million barrels of crude oil at risk of leaking, council members emphasized the environmental and humanitarian risk and 鈥渢he need, without delay, for access of UN officials to inspect and maintain (the) tanker, which is located in the Houthi-controlled north of Yemen.鈥�
They stressed the militia鈥檚 responsibility for the situation and for not responding to this 鈥渕ajor environmental and humanitarian risk,鈥� underscoring the need for the Houthis 鈥渢o urgently facilitate unconditional and safe access for UN experts to conduct an assessment and repair mission without further delay.鈥�
Meanwhile US President Joe Biden, during a phone call with King Salman, commended 黑料社区鈥檚 support for UN efforts to reach a truce and cease-fire in Yemen.
King Salman said 黑料社区 was keen to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen and to achieve security and development for its people.
The two sides discussed Iran鈥檚 behavior in the region, its destabilizing activities and its support for terrorist groups.
The Arab coalition thwarted a second Houthi attack on 黑料社区 just hours after it had destroyed a drone launched by the militia toward Khamis Mushait.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation condemned the militia鈥檚 attempt to target civilians in 黑料社区.
Heavy fighting between rebels and government forces in Marib has killed at least 27 people, tribal leaders and security officials said on Friday.
(With AP)