Global Geopolitical Series: UN Security Council adopts Russia-sponsored resolution on Yemen

The UN Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution on Yemen that would see the sanctions against the country being extended, after another resolution sponsored by the United Kingdom that puts blames on Iran for failing to prevent its weaponry reaching Yemen was vetoed by Iran’s ally Russia. The UK had proposed to include a provision that would call out Iran for allegedly violating an arms embargo on Yemen, imposed at the onset of its civil war in 2015, but that draft received only 11 votes in support, with Russia and Bolivia voting against and China and Kazakhstan abstaining.

Russian UN envoy Vassily Nebenzia said while his country was in favor of the majority of the provisions in the UK-sponsored resolution, attaching Iran clause couldn’t be supported as Russia can’t concur with uncorroborated conclusions and evidence which requires verification and discussions within the Sanctions Committee. He also accused the UK resolution of advancing geopolitical agendas.

The Russian proposal extends the sanctions on Yemen up to February 2019.