UNSC sets up mission to bolster Yemen ceasefire

NEW YORK, Jan 16 (KUNA) -- The UN Security Council on Wednesday unanimously approved the Resolution 2452 (2019), establishing a special political mission to support the implementation of the ceasefire between Yemen's government and the Houthi militia.
The ceasefire agreement, also called Hodeidah Agreement, was reached in Stockholm on December 13, 2018; it covers the city and port of Hodeidah, as well as the ports of Salif and Ras Issa.
The resolution provides that the United Nations Mission to Support the Hodeidah Agreement (UNMHA) - with an initial mandate of six months - will lead and support the Redeployment Coordination Commission tasked with overseeing the ceasefire, redeployment of forces and mine action operations.
The Mission will monitor compliance with the ceasefire, work with the parties to ensure that security is assured by local security forces, in line with Yemeni law, and coordinate United Nations efforts to assist the parties in fully implementing the Agreement.
Through the text, submitted by the United Kingdom, the Council - approving the Secretary-General's proposals on the Mission's composition and operational aspects - said UNMHA will be headed by the Chair of the Redeployment Coordination Commission, who will report through the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Yemen and the Under-Secretary-General for Political and Peacebuilding Affairs.
By other terms, the Council requested the Secretary-General to deploy the Mission expeditiously and call on the parties to the Agreement to ensure the safety, security and unhindered movement of its personnel, equipment and supplies.
It also requested Member States, particularly those neighbouring Yemen, to support the Organization as required for the implementation of UNMHA's mandate.
Abdullah Ali Fadhel Al-Saadi, the permanent representative of Yemen, welcomed the resolution, saying it reaffirmed international support for Yemen's independence, territorial integrity and sovereignty, while stressing the need for a comprehensive and lasting peace that meets the aspirations of the Yemeni people.
Emphasizing that his Government is fully committed to supporting implementation of the Agreement, he urged the Council and the international community to monitor ongoing ceasefire violations by the Houthi militia, supported by Iran, which have claimed 41 lives and injured 396 people.
The Council must condemn such violations, he said, pointing to an attack last week on a Yemeni military base in which an Iranian drone was used.
Al-Saadi added that his government looks forward to the special political mission in supporting the timely implementation of the Hodeidah Agreement. (end) asf.gb