ABU DHABI 16 December 2017: The UN Secretary-General’s recent report on UN Security Council Resolution 2231 strongly confirms what the UAE and its allies have long known that Iran is continuing its expansionist and destabilising behavior in the region, and is fueling the conflict in Yemen, the UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation said in a statement.
The evidence presented on Thursday leaves no doubt about Iran’s flagrant disregard for its UN obligations, and its role in the proliferation and trafficking of weapons in the region, added the statement to Wam.
From missiles to drones to explosive boats, illegal Iranian arms shipments to the Houthis and other proxies are stoking the fires of sectarian violence endangering civilians, noted the statement.
“The UAE and its military coalition partners have witnessed the devastating impact of these illegal arms shipments on Yemen.”
The UAE calls on the global community to more forcefully address the threat posed by Iran, and stand ready to work with its allies to take actions that will ensure compliance with relevant UN resolutions.
Saudi Arabia welcomes UN report, US stance
RIYADH: Saudi Arabia has welcomed a report by the United Nations which highlighted Iran’s hostile interference and its support for the Houthi militias, including supplying advanced missiles capable of threatening the security and stability of Saudi Arabia and the region.
Saudi Arabia also welcomed the stance of the United States announced by the US Ambassador to the UN at the Security Council session, as well its condemnation of Iran’s hostile activities that support and arm terror groups, including Hezbollah and the Houthi militias.
The Saudi Press Agency reported that Saudi Arabia has renewed its condemnation of the Iranian regime for supporting its affiliated Houthi militias in their aggressive and terrorist practices, their coup against legitimacy, their destruction of state institutions, their brutal suppression of the Yemeni people, their plunder of Yemen’s resources, including humanitarian aid, their seizure of oil imports to support and finance their terrorist campaign, their threat to the security of sea routes, their attack on Saudi Arabia’s territories and their launch of ballistic missiles against populated cities with the support of Iran.
Iran’s support for the Houthi militias constitutes a flagrant violation of UN Security Council Resolutions No. 2216 and No. 2231, and has disrupted the political process and prolonged the crisis in Yemen, the report added.
Saudi Arabia also condemned the Iranian regime for its flagrant violation of other international resolutions, including UN Security Council Resolutions No. 1559 and No. 1701, which prohibit the arming of non-state militias in Lebanon, under Chapter VII, as well as UN Security Council Resolutions No. 2231 and No. 2216.
Saudi Arabia has called on the international community to take immediate action to implement these relevant UN Security Council resolutions and to hold the Iranian regime accountable for its aggressive actions while reiterating the need to tighten the UN Verification and Inspection Mechanism, UNVIM, to prevent smuggling.
Saudi Arabia also affirms its commitment to support the efforts of Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN Special Envoy to Yemen, who aims to find a political solution according to the three references, as well as to support all relief and humanitarian operations to ease the suffering of the Yemeni people.
Bahrain welcomes UN report on Iran
MANAMA: The Kingdom of Bahrain has welcomed the report issued by the United Nations which unequivocally clarified the negative interference and hostile practices of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the Republic of Yemen, which aims at prolonging the crisis and obstructing the efforts to reach peace, as well as providing Houthi militias with dangerous rockets that pose great risks to the lives of the brotherly Yemeni people and threaten the security of sea lanes and peace in the entire region.
In a statement carried by the Bahrain News Agency, Bahrain commended the position of the United States, which rejects Iran’s activities and supports terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and others in clear violation of international resolutions and norms, including Security Council resolutions 1559, 1701, 2231 and 2216.
“The Kingdom of Bahrain stresses the need to hold Iran accountable for its violation, especially in support of terrorism and blatant interference in the internal affairs of the countries of the region. The Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its strong condemnation of Iran’s constant interference in internal affairs, documented by clear evidence that Iran supports terrorism, trains terrorists, smuggles weapons and explosives, and establishes terrorist groups in the Kingdom of Bahrain funded and trained by the Iranian Revolutionary Guard and the Lebanese Hezbollah.
“This completely contradicts the principle of good-neighborliness and non-interference in the internal affairs affirmed by the Charter of the United Nations and international law. The Kingdom of Bahrain reiterates its firm position that affirms the need to reach a comprehensive political solution that eliminates all forms of external interference in the Republic of Yemen and preserves the capabilities of its brotherly people, in order to put an end to its suffering in accordance with the Gulf Initiative and its implementing mechanism, the outputs of the national dialogue and Security Council resolution 2216.”
The Kingdom of Bahrain expresses its support for the efforts of the UN’s Envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, which aims at finding a political solution according to these references, added the statement.