Chronology of Events

Yemen
March 2015

On 3 March, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the
implementation of resolution 2201 that deplored the Houthis actions to take over government institutions and urged
negotiations to resolve the political impasse. On 20 March, Council members condemned attacks against Aden
International Airport and airstrikes on the presidential compound in Aden in a press statement. Also on 20 March,
Council members issued a press statement condemning suicide bombings at two Zaydi Shia mosques. In
response to these events, an emergency meeting was held on 22 March. Benomar briefed from Doha by video
teleconference. Yemen and Qatar, on behalf of Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), also participated. The Council
adopted a presidential statement the same day condemning the Houthis unilateral actions and reaffirming its
readiness to take further measures. On 24 March, President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi sent the Council a letter
asking for a Chapter VII resolution inviting all willing countries to provide support to deter the Houthi advance in the
south. He also informed the Council about his request to the GCC and other Arab countries to intervene militarily
against the Houthis. That same day the Qatari mission to the UN hosted an informal meeting with Council members,
outlining the elements of a resolution that GCC countries were preparing, but as of the end of March no text had
been circulated. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia announced that it was commencing airstrikes against Houthi targets with
other Arab countries in response to Hadis request.
February 2015
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On 12 February, the Council was briefed by Secretary-General Ban-Ki Moon, his Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal
Benomar and Ambassador Alya Ahmed Saif Al-Thani (Qatar) on behalf of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The
briefing was followed by consultations. Three days later, the Council adopted resolution 2201 on 15 February in
response to the political crisis. The resolution strongly deplored the Houthiss actions to dissolve parliament on 6
February and take over government institutions, urged the acceleration of negotiations to reach a consensus solution
regarding the political impasse, and placed a number of demands on the Houthis. It further requested the SecretaryGeneral to report back on implementation of the resolution while declaring the Councils readiness to take further
measures in the case on non-implementation by any Yemeni party. On 20 February, the 2140 Yemen Panel of
Experts transmitted its final report to the Council. On 24 February, the Council adopted resolution 2204, renewing
the assets freeze and travel ban until 26 February 2016 and extending the mandate of the Panel of Experts until 25
March 2016. In a 25 February press statement, Council members welcomed that President of Abdo Rabbo Mansour
Hadi was no longer under house arrest and demanded that the Houthis immediately release the prime minister and
members of the cabinet (SC/11798).
January 2015

In response to the outbreak of fighting between the Houthis and presidential guard on 19 January, Council members
held urgent consultations on 20 January with Special Adviser Jamal Benomar who briefed via video teleconference
from Doha. Council members issued a press statement that condemned attack on the presidential palace and
stressed that President Hadi was Yemens legitimate authority. On 22 January, President Hadi, the prime minister
and the cabinet resigned. Council members were briefed on 26 January by Benomar under any other business in
consultations, this time via video teleconference from Sanaa. Benomar told Council members that he was
continuing to meet daily with all parties and stressed that an agreement on a way forward was possible. During the
consultations, Council members were unable to agree on proposed press elements after Jordan, in support of the
GCC position, wanted a reference to the Houthis role in the current crisis, which Russia objected to. Earlier in the
month Council members issued a press statement on 7 January condemning a bomb attack at a police academy in
Sanaa, which killed at least 37 people.
December 2014
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On 11 December 2014, the Council received a briefing from the chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee,
Ambassador Raimonda Murmokait (Lithuania) (S/PV.7336). Murmokait described the Committees 7 November
decision to adopt targeted sanctions against former President Abdullah Ali Saleh and two Houthi military
commanders. The briefing was followed by consultations with the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Yemen,
Jamal Benomar. Council members issued press statements condemning the 3 December bomb attack at the
residence of the Iranian Ambassador to Yemen (SC/11683) and the 16 December bomb attacks in Radaa
(SC/11710).
November 2014

On 8 November, the Council issued a press statement that welcomed the formation of Yemens new Government
and urged all parties and political actors in Yemen to unite behind President Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, Prime
Minister Khaled Bahah and the new cabinet to keep the country on the path to stability and security. It also recalled
the decision to designate three individuals as subject to assets freeze and travel ban measures.
October 2014

Council members issued a press statement on 10 October condemning a bomb attack in Sanaa that killed at least
47 people, as well as condemning attacks against Yemeni security forces on 8 and 9 October (SC/11595). On 13
October, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed Council members in consultations. Afterwards, in elements to the
press, Council members expressed their determination to address increasing terrorist attacks by Al-Qaida in the
Arabian Peninsula, urged implementation of the national peace and partnership agreement, welcomed Khalid
Bahahs nomination as prime minister and agreed to consider urgently evidence to possibly sanction spoilers.
September 2014

The Council issued a press statement on 23 September that welcomed the Peace and National Partnership
Agreement signed on 21 September as the best means to stabilize the situation and prevent further violence and
underlined the need for all parties, including the Houthis, to fulfil their commitments (SC/11578). On 16 September,
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the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee issued a press statement encouraging the Panel of Experts to develop case
studies on individuals or entities threatening Yemens peace, security or stability, given the pace of developments in
the country (SC/11564).
August 2014

On 29 August, Council members were briefed in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar. Benomars
briefing focused on the crisis gripping Yemen since 18 August when mass protests started in Sanaa and other
cities following the call for demonstrations by Abdulmalek al-Houthi, leather of the Houthi (a Shia rebel group). He
demanded the reinstatement of fuel subsidies and the dissolution of the government. The situation threatened to
derail the ongoing political transition process. At press time, Council members were negotiating a draft presidential
statement on the situation. Also on 29 August, the Council issued a presidential statement that expressed grave
concern about the deterioration the security situation in Yemen in light of the actions taken by the Houthis.
July 2014

On 11 July, after being briefed by Jamal Benomar the Special Adviser to the Secretary-General on Yemen under
any other business, the Council issued a press statement demanding that the Houthis withdraw and relinquish
control of Amran and hand over weapons and ammunition to the government (SC/11470).
June 2014

On 20 June, the Council met in consultations with Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the worsening security
situation in Yemen, as well as the implementation of the national dialogue outcomes and the economic challenges
facing Yemen.
May 2014
On 5 May, the Council issued a press statement regarding the killing of a French national working at the EU
delegation in Sanaa as well as other recent terrorist attacks in Yemen (SC/11381). On 14 May, Ambassador
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delegation in Sanaa as well as other recent terrorist attacks in Yemen (SC/11381). On 14 May, Ambassador
Raimonda Murmokait (Lithuania), chair of the 2140 Yemen Sanctions Committee, briefed the Council on progress
in setting up the Committee (S/PV.7175). This included the adoption of its guidelines, the appointment of its Panel of
Experts (PoE), its first meetingsincluding one with representatives from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)and
cooperation with other sanctions committees.
April 2014
On 24 April, Council members received a briefing in consultations by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the steps
taken by Yemen to implement the recommendations of the 21 January final document of the National Dialogue
Conference.
March 2014

The Council issued a press statement on 25 March condemning the 24 March terrorist attack in Hadramout that
killed 20 soldiers (SC/11336).
February 2014

On 26 February the Council adopted a resolution (S/RES/2140) expressing its strong support for completing the
next steps of the transition, in line with the Implementation Mechanism, including the drafting of a new constitution,
the adoption of a new electoral law, the holding of a referendum and general elections and the transition of the
structure of the state from unitary to federal. The resolution established a sanctions regime, a sanctions committee
and a four-member panel of experts and included among the designation criteria undermining the successful
completion of the political transition, impeding the implementation of the final report of the NDC or being responsible
for human rights abuses in Yemen. The resolution stops short of listing anyone (even though former President Ali
Abdullah Saleh or former Vice-President Ali Salim Al-Beidh were named in a 15 February 2013 presidential
statement (S/PRST/2013/3) in the context of the Councils expressing its readiness to impose sanctions). The
Council also expressed its concern over reported serious human rights abuses and violence against civilians in both
the northern and southern governorates, including al-Dhalee.
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January 2014

On 28 January, Council members were briefed by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar on the conclusion of the National
Dialogue Conference and the next steps ahead of Yemens political transition.
December 2013

On 5 December, the Council issued a press statement condemning the attack on the Defence Ministry and hospital
in Sanaa that caused numerous deaths and injuries.
November 2013

Special Adviser to the Secreatary-General on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed Council membesr in consultations on
27 November on the last stages of the National Dialogue Conference (NDC) and the challenges ahead for the
Yemeni transition, including the security threats posed by sectarian violence and terrorist attacks by Al-Qaida in the
Arabian Peninsula. The same day the Council issued a press statement emphasising the importance of concluding
the NDC as soon as possible to move toward constitution drafting and electoral preparations.
September 2013

On 27 September, the Council was briefed by Special Adviser Jamal Benomar and the Secretary-General of the
Gulf Cooperation Council Abdullatif bin Rashid Al-Zayani. Both Benomar and Al-Zayani addressed the last stages of
Yemens National Dialogue Conference and challenges to the political transition, including threats posed by AlQaida in the Arabian Peninsula.
June 2013

On 11 June, the Council was briefed by Jamal Benomar, the Special Adviser on Yemen, mainly on the closure of the
first plenary session of the National Dialogue Conference, as well as on the work of its working groups and
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consensus committee. The briefing was followed by consultations.

April 2013

On 4 April, Council members received a briefing in consultations by the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on
Yemen, Jamal Benomar, mainly on the National Dialogue Conference that opened on 18 March. On 12 April, the
Council issued a press statement welcoming Yemens reorganisation of the military and calling on all parties to
support the Presidents decrees and to work to ensure their prompt implementation. Also in April, the Iran Panel of
Experts reported to the 1737 Iran Sanctions Committee on its investigation of allegations presented by Yemen that it
had intercepted a ship in January carrying missiles and rockets from Iran destined for Yemeni rebel groups.
February 2013

On 7 February, the Council was briefed by Ambassadors Mohammed Loulichki (Morocco) and Mark Lyall Grant
(UK), co-leads of the Security Council visit to Yemen on 27 January. Both confirmed the achievement of the
missions objectives, which were to evaluate implementation of resolution 2051 and to assess progress on political
transition. Following this, Council members received a briefing in consultations from Special Adviser Jamal
Benomar. On 15 February, after negotiations on references to reports of money and weapons being brought into
Yemen from outside the country, the Council adopted a presidential statement welcoming the announcement of the
National Dialogue Conference, highlighting the importance of inclusivity during the transition process and stressing
the transition proceed according to the original timeline. The Panel of Experts that monitors compliance with the
1737 Iran sanctions regime arrived in Sanaa on 22 February to investigate the 23 January incident during which the
Yemeni coast guard intercepted a ship carrying missiles and rockets allegedly sent by Iran for the purpose of
undermining the transition.
January 2013

On 27 January, Council members visited Yemen and met with President Hadi, parliamentarians, civil society and
Gulf Cooperation Council members. The missionco-led by the UK and Morocco and composed of all 15 members
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represented the first Council visiting mission to Yemen and its first visit to the Middle East in five years.
December 2012

On 4 December, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed the Council, highlighting the breakthrough agreement on
the allocation of seats for the forthcoming National Dialogue Conference.
September 2012

On 13 September, Council members issued a press statement condemning the 11 September terrorist attack in
Sanaa. On 18 September, Special Adviser on Yemen Jamal Benomar briefed Council members in consultations on
challenges to Yemens transition process as well as other political, humanitarian and security issues. Benomar also
updated the Council on the national dialogue conference as well as security reforms. Following a high-level Friends
of Yemen meeting held on the margins of the General Assembly on 27 September, Council members issued a
press statement commending Yemens progress in implementing its transition agreement and called upon all parties
to continue to honour the timetable set out in the agreement and for all sides to act in a spirit of reconciliation.
August 2012

In a 7 August statement, Special Adviser Jamal Benomar said Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadis 6
August decrees concerning the restructuring of the security sector was an important step towards creating the
necessary conditions and take the necessary steps to integrate the armed forces under unified, national and
professional leadership in the context of the rule of law.
July 2012

Special Adviser Jamal Benomar briefed Council members on 17 July in consultations. He noted that several
political, humanitarian and security challenges continued to hamper the transition process and described
interference from former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and his kinsmen as a key obstacle to stability.
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June 2012

The Council unanimously adopted resolution 2051 on 12 June, expressing its readiness to consider further
measures, including under Article 41 should actions to undermine the government of National Unity and the political
transition continue. The Secretary-General notified the Security Council of his intention to establish a small office of
the Special Adviser on Yemen for an initial period of 12 months.
May 2012

The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on Yemen briefed the Council on 29 May, followed by closed
consultations. Earlier in the month the Council issued a press statement condemning a suicide attack killing 96
soldiers in Sanaa on 21 May. Friends of Yemen met at ministerial-level on 23 May.
March 2012

The Council adopted a presidential statement on 29 March voicing its concern over the deteriorating situation since
the transfer of power, following the 21 February presidential elections, to Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi and stressing the
need for all political actors to remain committed to the political transition. Earlier this month the Secretary-Generals
Special adviser briefed the Council on 7 March after a visit to Yemen. That same day the Council issued a press
statement condemning the terrorist attacks of 4 March in the town of Zinjibar in Abyan province . Meanwhile, the
Human Rights Council adopted a resolution calling upon the parties in Yemen to release persons arbitrarily detained
by them and to end practices of unlawful detention.
February 2012

Presidential elections took place on 21 February, and Vice President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi was inaugurated as
President on 25 February. Members of the Council issued a press statement on 22 February acknowledging the
significance of the political transition through presidential elections and encouraging a fully inclusive national
dialogue, the constitutional review and other pending issues.
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January 2012

The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser briefed the Council on 25 January after extensive travel in the region and
within Yemen. The Council issued a press statement that same day welcoming the formation of the Government of
National Unity and calling for peaceful elections on 21 February.
December 2011

The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser briefed the Council on 21 December. Members of the Council issued
a press statement the following day welcoming the formation of the Government of National Unity while reiterating the
call for the implementation of the GCC initiative and the implementation mechanism in a timely fashion. Click here
for more details.
November 2011

President Ali Abdullah Saleh signed the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) initiative on 23 November in Riyadh after
negotiating an implementation mechanism, initiating the transition of power from Saleh to Vice President Abdrabuh
Mansour Hadi during an interim period leading up to elections.The Secretary-Generals Special Adviser and the
Deputy Director for the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs briefed the Council on 28 November on
the situation in Yemen.That same day the Council issued a press statement welcoming the signing of the GCC
initiative and urging all parties to honour the timetable in the implementation of the agreement.
October 2011

On 21 October the Council unanimously adopted resolution 2014 with key elements focusing on the GCC initiative
for a transfer of power in Yemen, concern over the activities of Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula and the need for
humanitarian assistance.
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September 2011

On 24 September Council members issued a press statement urging all sides to reject the violence that had erupted
on Salehs surprise return to Yemen the previous day after undergoing surgery and medical treatment in Saudi
Arabia. Earlier that month, the Council heard from DPA on GCC efforts and the presidential decree signed by Saleh
empowering Vice President Abdrabuh Mansur Hadi to negotiate a transfer mechanism with the opposition.
August 2011

The Council was briefed by the Secretary-Generals Special Adviser on 9 August. Following the briefing, the Council
issued a press statement expressing their concern at the serious deterioration of the situation urging all parties to
move forward whilst acknowledging the importance of the GCC initiative.
June 2011

On 24 June the Council was briefed by the UN envoy and issued a press statement expressing grave concern at the
deteriorating situation and welcomed the mediation efforts by the Gulf Cooperation Council.
May 2011

On 17 May the Council was briefed by the UN envoy during a briefing by the Department of Political Affairs on
emerging issues.
April 2011

On 19 April the Council was first briefed on Yemen by Under-Secretary-General for Political Affairs B. Lynn Pascoe
and the UN envoy.
February 2011
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A wave of anti-government social protests in Yemen started on 3 February.

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