Security Council:

In 2014, after years of civil unrest in the region, a civil war erupted when the Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis, captured the capital city of Sana’a and drove the internationally-recognized government of Yemen into exile. In response, a coalition of Arab countries led by Saudi Arabia launched a bombing campaign against the Houthis in 2015. This bombing campaign has caused massive damage to Yemen’s infrastructure and caused substantial civilian casualties. Saudi Arabia and its allies maintain an air and sea blockade, preventing deliveries of food and fuel from entering Houthi-controlled areas in the region. 

As of December 2020, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 233,000 people have died as a result of the conflict. 

The Council has discussed moving towards a ceasefire between the two sides and lifting sanctions in order to allow necessary supplies to enter Yemen. In order to obtain more information, the Council decided that bringing in a representative from Saudi Arabia was the number one priority. 

While the Representative of Saudi Arabia was present at the meeting, they stressed that a ceasefire needs to come first before they are willing to end their blockade. The representative cited the reason is for safety and security. 

The Representatives Elijah Shoaf and Henry Pellegrin of Mexico have created what they believe to be a compromise for the situation. The first step suggested would be for Saudi Arabia to end their air strikes of the Houthi-controlled regions, while also convincing the Houthis to agree to a ceasefire. Once both sides see the other in a positive light, Saudi Arabia would then agree to the ending of the blockade. The representative believes that this is a compromise Saudi Arabia is willing to agree to. 

The Council brought in a Representative from Yemen to also comment on the situation. Representative B. would like to see the Houthi’s agree on a ceasefire to end the senseless bloodshed. In order for Yemen to agree to the compromise put forth by Mexico, they want proof that a ceasefire would be in place. Currently, the blockade in place is a means to mitigate the destruction caused by the Houthi attacks. 

When asked about whether Yemen would go against the decisions made by the Security Council, the Representative responded that they would do what they can in order to protect their people. If a ceasefire would be agreed upon, there is no information as to when the implementation would take place. 

To hear from both sides of the argument, Representatives of China, Tunisia, and the United Kingdom requested to talk with the Houthi Rebels. As the Rebels were not able to travel to speak, a phone call was arranged. The Houthi Rebels have expressed that they will only agree to a ceasefire once the blockade has been lifted. In addition, they also want a “seat at the table” in the Yemen Government. Representative Duncan Harro explains that “the Houthi rebels have indicated that, if such a ceasefire is achieved, they would welcome the presence of U.N. peacekeepers. The role of these peacekeepers would be to strengthen the ceasefire and to assist in the distribution of aid.” 

While the Council awaits further information, they have moved onto resolving the ongoing situation of Russian aggression in Ukraine.