An international resolution renews sanctions on Yemen and condemns the escalation in Marib and the Houthi bombing of Saudi Arabia

On Thursday, the UN Security Council adopted a resolution renewing the financial sanctions and the travel ban imposed on Yemen for an additional year, while condemning the battles in Marib and the Houthi attacks against Saudi Arabia.

Fourteen of the council’s 15 members voted for the resolution, while Russia abstained.

The decision extended the mandate of the team of experts on international sanctions imposed on Yemen until March 28, 2022.

 He also condemned the ongoing escalation in Marib, the attack on Aden airport last December, and the Houthi attacks on Saudi Arabia.

The resolution also called on the Houthis to allow a UN team to assess and repair the defective oil tanker "Safer" anchored off the western coast of Yemen.

The decision coincides with a phone call between US President Joe Biden and Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz.

And the Saudi News Agency reported that King Salman confirmed, in contact with Biden, the Kingdom's keenness to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, and its endeavor to achieve security and development for the Yemeni people.

Battles over oil

While the Biden administration is trying to push for a political solution to the crisis, clashes continue in Marib, and the Houthis are advancing towards the last government strongholds in the north.

And for over a year ago, the Houthis, accused of receiving support from Iran, have been trying to control the oil-rich province of Ma'rib, in order to put their hands on the entire northern Yemeni.

After a period of calm, on February 8, the Houthis resumed their attack on government forces backed by a Saudi-led military coalition.

Last week, the United Nations expressed concern that millions of civilians were at risk due to the military escalation in Marib.

The UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, told the UN Security Council that the rebel attack "must stop," and warned of a "humanitarian catastrophe" and endangering "millions of civilians, especially as the fighting reaches the camps for the displaced."

After 6 years of fighting, Yemen is witnessing a collapse in the health, economy, education and other sectors, while more than 3.3 million displaced people live in schools and camps where diseases such as cholera are spreading, due to the scarcity of clean water.