UN Security Council extends Yemen sanctions for another year

The UN Security Council adopted a resolution Wednesday to renew Yemen sanction measures until Feb. 26, 2017, after determining that "the situation in Yemen continues to constitute a threat to international peace and security."

In a resolution unanimously adopted here, the council renewed assets freeze and travel ban measures against individuals and organizations undermining the peaceful transition process in Yemen, which was imposed by resolution 2140 in 2014.

The council also decides to extend the mandate of the Panel of Experts monitoring sanctions implementation until March 27, 2017.

The council expressed concern at the ongoing political, security, economic and humanitarian challenges in Yemen, including the ongoing violence, and threats arising from the illicit transfer, destabilizing accumulation and misuse of weapons.

Moreover, the 15-member body is gravely distressed by the continued deterioration of the devastating humanitarian situation in Yemen.

The council expressed "serious concern at all instances of hindrances to the effective delivery of humanitarian assistance, including limitations on the delivery of vital goods to the civilian population of Yemen," it said.

Yemen has been experiencing a civil conflict since the UN-backed government was ousted by the Houthi militants in late 2014. The conflict triggered a Saudi-led military intervention in late March which has been deepening the country's suffering. Enditem