Pages

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

Security Council condemns murder of Kassig, ISIL crimes

Security Council Press Statement on ISIL killings


The members of the Security Council strongly condemned the heinous and cowardly murders of U.S. humanitarian aid worker Abdul-Rahman Kassig, also known as Peter Kassig, and at least 15 Syrian captives by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).   The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the families of the victims and to the peoples of the United States and Syria.  These crimes once again demonstrate the brutality of ISIL, which is responsible for thousands of abuses against the Syrian and Iraqi people. 

Regarding Mr. Kassig, the members of the Security Council noted that his murder is a tragic reminder of the increasing dangers humanitarian personnel face every day in Syria.  The members of the Security Council recalled United Nations Security Council resolution 2175 (2014) and their demand that all parties involved in an armed conflict comply fully with the obligations applicable to them under international humanitarian law, including to respect and protect all humanitarian personnel.  The members of the Security Council also recalled their condemnation of all forms of violence and intimidation to which those participating in humanitarian operations are increasingly exposed.

The members of the Security Council stressed again that ISIL must be defeated and that the intolerance, violence, and hatred it espouses must be stamped out.  The members of the Security Council further emphasized that such continued acts of barbarism perpetrated by ISIL do not intimidate them, but rather stiffen their resolve that there has to be a common effort among Governments and institutions, including those in the region most affected, to counter ISIL, Al-Nusra Front and all other individuals, groups, undertakings and entities associated with Al-Qaida, as the Council resolved in United Nations Security Council resolution 2170 (2014).

The members of the Security Council demanded the immediate, safe and unconditional release of all those who are kept hostage by ISIL, Al-Nusra Front, and all other individuals, groups, undertakings, and entities associated with Al-Qaida.

The members of the Security Council underlined the need to bring perpetrators of these reprehensible acts of terrorism to justice.  The members of the Security Council stressed that those responsible for the killing of Abdul-Rahman Kassig and the Syrian captives shall be held accountable, and urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively in this regard.

The members of the Security Council reaffirmed the need to combat by all means, in accordance with the Charter of the United Nations, threats to international peace and security caused by terrorist acts, and that any acts of terrorism are criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of their motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed.
Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab

Friday, November 7, 2014

Yemen Sanctions Committee: Saleh, 2 Houthi leaders are subject to assets freeze travel ban

7 NOVEMBER 2014
SC/11636

Security Council 2140 Sanctions Committee Designates Three Individuals as Subject to Assets Freeze, Travel Ban


On 7 November 2014, the Security Council’s 2140 Sanctions Committee designated three individuals as subject to the assets freeze and travel ban measures outlined, respectively, in paragraphs 11 and 15 of Security Council resolution 2140 (2014), adopted under Chapter VII of the Charter of the United Nations.
The Committee stresses the need for robust implementation of the Sanctions as an important tool in achieving a peaceful, inclusive, orderly and Yemeni-led political transition process.
As a result of the new listings, the Committee reminds Member States of their obligations under resolution 2140 (2014) to ensure that any funds, financial assets or economic resources are prevented from being made available by their nationals or by any individuals or entities within their territories, to or for the benefit of the individuals designated by the Committee; and their obligation to take the necessary measures to prevent the entry into or transit through their territories of the individuals designated by the Committee.
The details of the new listings are listed below:
YEi.001  Name: 1: ABD 2: AL-KHALIQ 3: AL-HUTHI 4: na  Name (original script):  Title: Designation: Huthi military commander DOB: 1984 POB: na Good quality a.k.a.: a) Abd-al-Khaliq al-Huthi b) Abd-al-Khaliq Badr-al-Din al Huthi c) ‘Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Huthi Low quality a.k.a.: Abu-Yunus Nationality: Yemen Passport no.: na National identification no.: na Address: na Listed on: 7 Nov. 2014 Other information: Gender [Male].
Narrative summary of reasons for listing
Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014
Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.
Additional information
Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and acts that obstruct the political process in Yemen.
In late October 2013, Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi led a group of fighters dressed in Yemeni military uniforms in an attack on locations in Dimaj, Yemen.  The ensuing fighting resulted in multiple deaths.
In late September 2014, an unknown number of unidentified fighters allegedly were prepared to attack diplomatic facilities in Sana’a, Yemen, upon receiving orders from the Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi.  On 30 August 2014, al-Huthi coordinated to move weapons from Amran to a protest camp in Sana’a.
YEi.002  Name: 1: ABDULLAH 2: YAHYA 3: AL HAKIM 4: na  Name (original script):  Title: Designation: Huthi group second-in-command DOB: a) Approximately 1985 b) Between 1984 and 1986 POB: a) Dahyan, Yemen b) Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen Good quality a.k.a.: a)Abu Ali al Hakim b) Abu-Ali al-Hakim c) Abdallah al-Hakim d) Abu Ali Alhakim e) Abdallah al-Mu’ayyad Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Yemen Passport no.: na National identification no.: na Address: Dahyan, Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen Listed on: 7 Nov. 2014 Other information: Gender [Male].
Narrative summary of reasons for listing
Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014
Abdullah Yahya al Hakim was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.
Additional information
Abdullah Yahya al Hakim has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and that obstruct the political process in Yemen.
In June 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim reportedly held a meeting in order to plot a coup against Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi.  Al Hakim met with military and security commanders, and tribal chieftains; leading partisan figures loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh also attended the meeting, which aimed to coordinate military efforts to take over Sana’a, Yemen’s capital.
In a 29 August 2014 public statement, the President of the United Nations Security Council stated that the Council condemned the actions of forces commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim who overran Amran, Yemen, including the Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on 8 July 2014.  Al Hakim led the July 2014 violent takeover of the Amran Governorate and was the military commander responsible for making decisions regarding ongoing conflicts in the Amran Governorate and Hamdan, Yemen.
As of early September 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim remained in Sana’a to oversee combat operations in case fighting began.  His role was to organize military operations so as to be able to topple the Yemeni Government, and he was also responsible for securing and controlling all routes in and out of Sana’a.
YEi.003  Name: 1: ALI 2: ABDULLAH 3: SALEH 4: na  Name (original script):  Title: Designation: a) President of Yemen’s General People’s Congress party b) Former President of the Republic of Yemen DOB: a) 21 Mar. 1945 b) 21 Mar. 1946 c) 21 Mar. 1942 POB: a)Bayt al-Ahmar, Sana’a Governorate, Yemen b) Sana’a, Yemen Good quality a.k.a.: Ali Abdallah Salih Low quality a.k.a.: na Nationality: Yemen Passport no.: 00016161 (Yemen) National identification no.: na Address: na Listed on: 7 Nov. 2014 Other information: Gender [Male].
Narrative summary of reasons for listing
Date on which narrative summary became available on the Committee’s website: 7 November 2014
Ali Abdullah Saleh was designated for sanctions on 7 November 2014 pursuant to paragraphs 11 and 15 of resolution 2140 (2014), as meeting the designation criteria set out in paragraphs 17 and 18 of the resolution.
Additional information
Ali Abdullah Saleh has engaged in acts that threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of 23 November 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, and acts that obstruct the political process in Yemen.
Per the 23 November 2011 agreement backed by the Gulf Cooperation Council, Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down as President of Yemen after more than 30 years.
As of fall 2012, Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one of the primary supporters of violent Huthi actions in northern Yemen.
More recently, as of September 2014, Saleh has been destabilizing Yemen by using others to undermine the central government and create enough instability to threaten a coup.  According to a September 2014 report by the United Nations Panel of Experts for Yemen, interlocutors alleged that Saleh supports violent actions of some Yemenis by providing them funds and political support, as well as ensuring that GPC members continue to contribute to the destabilization of Yemen through various means.
The September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts report on Yemen also states that allegations have been made that Ali Abdullah Saleh has been using Al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives to conduct assassinations and attacks against military installations in order to weaken President Hadi and create discontent within the army and broader Yemeni population.  Clashes in the south of Yemen in February 2013 were a result of the combined efforts of Saleh, AQAP, and southern secessionist Ali Salim al-Bayd to cause trouble before the 18 March 2013 National Dialogue Conference in Yemen.
The Committee’s sanctions list is available on its website at the following URL:http://www.un.org/sc/committees/2140/.  The Committee will update regularly its list when it has agreed to include or delete relevant information in accordance with the procedures set out in its Guidelines.

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab

Internal memo: Sanctions Committee on Yemen adopts sanctions against former president Saleh, 2 Houthi leaders

SECURITY COUNCIL COMMITTEE ESTABLISHED            S/AC.56/2014/NOTE.28/Add.3
PURSUANT TO RESOLUTION 2140 (2014)                             7 November 2014

Note by the Chair

The Chair of the Security Council Committee established pursuant to resolution 2140 (2014) presents her compliments to the members of the Committee.

In reference to the letter dated 31 October 2014 from the United States Mission to the United Nations, proposing the designation of three individuals as subject to the assets freeze and travel ban measures outlined, respectively, in paragraphs 11 and 15, of resolution 2140 (2014), together with a corresponding press release, circulated under Note S/AC.56/2014/NOTE.28 of 31 October 2014, the Chair wishes to inform the members that no holds or objections were placed by the set deadline of Friday, 7 November 2014, 5:00 p.m. for the consideration of the proposed designations.

Consequently, the proposed designations are approved and the Chair will instruct the Secretariat to proceed with making the Committee List together with the corresponding narrative summaries available on the Committee website, issuing the press release, as revised, informing Member States about the List, and notifying the Permanent Mission of Yemen to the United Nations of the listing, in accordance with, respectively, paragraphs 6(c), 5(g), 5(h) and 5(i) of the Committee’s Guidelines.


Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab

US letter to Security Council: Saleh uses Al-Qa’ida to conduct assassinations in Yemen

(Copy) 
UNITED STATES MISSION TO THE UNITED NATIONS
October 31, 2014
Dear Madam Ambassador:

The U.S. Mission to the United Nations informs the Committee pursuant to resolutions 2140 (2014) that the following individuals have been identified pursuant to paragraph 17 of resolution 2140 (2014) as engaging in or providing support for acts that threaten the peace, security or stability of Yemen: Former President Ali Saleh, Abd alKhaliq al Huthi, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim. We request that these individuals be added to the 2140 (2014) Sanctions List.
 We have provided detailed information on the reasons behind our request for inclusion on the list in the attached statement of case.

           Please accept, Excellency, the assurances of my highest consideration.
                                                                                                 Sincerely,
...

(U) Statement of the Case: Ali Abdullah Saleh

(U) Name: Ali Abdullah Saleh
(U) Also Known As: Ali Abdallah Salih
(U) Gender: Male
(U//FOUO) Date of Birth: March 21, 1945
(U) Alternate Date of Birth: March 21, 1946
(U) Alternate Date of Birth: March 21, 1942
(U) Place of Birth: Bayt al-Ahmar, Sana’a Governorate, Yemen
(U//FOUO) Alternate Place of Birth: Sana’a, Yemen
(U//FOUO) Nationality: Yemen
(U//FOUO) Passport: 00016161 (Yemen)
(U//FOUO) Position: President of Yemen’s General People’s Congress party
(U) Alternate Position: Former President of the Republic of Yemen

(U) Per the November 23, 2011 Gulf Cooperation Council agreement, Ali Abdullah Saleh stepped down as President of Yemen after more than 30 years and transferred power to his Vice President, Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi.  Although Saleh is no longer President, he retains considerable influence in Yemen’s politics as head of the country’s ruling party, the General People’s Congress (GPC).

(U) Ali Abdullah Saleh has engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen. 

(U) As of fall 2012, Ali Abdullah Saleh had reportedly become one of the primary supporters of the Huthi rebellion.  Saleh was behind the attempts to cause chaos throughout Yemen.  More recently, as of September 2014, Saleh is reportedly inciting instability in Yemen by using the Huthi (or “Ansar Allah”) dissident group to not only delegitimize the central government, but also create enough instability to stage a coup.  According to a September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts report on Yemen, Saleh supports the Huthis by providing them funds and political support, as well as ensuring that GPC members do nothing to hinder the Huthis in achieving their objectives.  Although Saleh was provided an opportunity to respond to these allegations, as described in the Panel of Experts report, he has merely denounced them without providing explanations.  Saleh’s strategy in these activities appears to be aimed at demonstrating that President Hadi is a failed President.

(U) The September 2014 United Nations Panel of Experts report on Yemen also alleges that Ali Abdullah Saleh has been using Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) operatives to conduct assassinations against individuals and attacks against military installations in order to further weaken President Hadi and sow discontent within the army and population.   Clashes in the south of Yemen in February 2013 were a result of the combined efforts of Saleh, AQAP, Iran, and key southern secessionist ‘Ali Salim al-Bayd to cause trouble before the March 18, 2013 National Dialogue Conference in Yemen.


(U) Statement of the Case: Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi

(U) Primary Name: Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi
(U) Also Known As: Abd-al-Khaliq al-Huthi
(U) Also Known As: Abu-Yunus
(U) Also Known As: Abd-al-Khaliq Badr-al-Din al Huthi
(U) Also Known As: ‘Abd al-Khaliq Badr al-Din al-Huthi
(U) Gender: Male
(U) Date of Birth: 1984
(U) Position: Huthi military commander

(U) Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi has engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.  Al-Huthi is a military leader of the Huthi group, an entity that has engaged in acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

(U) In late October 2013, Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi led a group of Huthi fighters dressed in Yemeni military uniforms in an attack on locations in Dimaj (Yemen) which were controlled by Salafis.  The ensuing fighting resulted in multiple deaths on both sides.

(U) In August 2014, the U.S. Department of State strongly condemned the Huthis (also known as “Ansar Allah”) for actions taken to undermine the Gulf Cooperation Council political transition process and Yemen’s stability.  Specifically, the U.S. condemned the Huthi’s “provocative, aggressive, and destabilizing actions and incitement against the Government of Yemen, the establishment of armed camps in and around Sana’a, and their continued illegitimate control of Amran.”

(U) In late September 2014, an unknown number of unidentified Huthi movement fighters allegedly were prepared to attack the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen, upon receiving orders from Huthi military commander of Sana’a, Abd al-Khaliq al-Huthi.  In fall 2014, Al-Huthi was interested in moving explosives within Yemen.  On August 30, 2014, al-Huthi coordinated with the Huthis in Amran, Yemen, to move weapons from Amran to a Huthi protest camp in Sana’a.


(U) Statement of the Case: Abdullah Yahya al Hakim
  
(U) Primary Name: Abdullah Yahya al Hakim
(U) Also Known As: Abu Ali al Hakim
(U) Also Known As: Abu-Ali al-Hakim
(U) Also Known As: Abdallah al-Hakim
(U//FOUO) Also Known As: Abu Ali Alhakim
(U) Also Known As: Abdallah al-Mu’ayyad
(U) Gender: Male
(U) Date of Birth: circa 1985
(U) Alternate Date of Birth: 1984-1986
(U//FOUO) Place of Birth: Dahyan, Yemen
(U) Alternate Place of Birth: Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen
(U//FOUO) Nationality: Yemen
(U) Address: Dahyan, Sa’dah Governorate, Yemen
(U) Position: Huthi group second-in-command


(U) Abdullah Yahya al Hakim has engaged in acts that directly or indirectly threaten the peace, security, or stability of Yemen, such as acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011, between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.  In addition, al Hakim is a military or political leader of the Huthi group (also known as “Ansar Allah”), an entity that has engaged in acts that obstruct the implementation of the agreement of November 23, 2011 between the Government of Yemen and those in opposition to it, which provides for a peaceful transition of power in Yemen, or that obstruct the political process in Yemen.

(U) Abdullah Yahya al Hakim gained prominence as a Huthi military commander following the Huthi takeover of the al-Ahmar homes in Hashid (Yemen) in January and February 2014.

(U) In June 2014, Abdullah Yahya al Hakim – the Huthi group’s second-in-command – reportedly held a meeting in order to plot a coup against Yemeni President Abdrabuh Mansour Hadi.  Al Hakim met with military and security commanders, tribal chieftains, and officials, and leading partisan figures loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh also attended the meeting, which aimed to coordinate efforts to take over Sana’a.

(U) In an August 29, 2014 public statement, the President of the United Nations Security Council condemned the actions of Huthi forces commanded by Abdullah Yahya al Hakim, who overran Amran (Yemen), including the Yemeni Army Brigade headquarters on July 8, 2014.  Al Hakim led the Huthi group’s July 2014 takeover of the Amran Governorate.  Al Hakim was the Huthi military commander responsible for making decisions regarding the Huthis’ ongoing conflicts in the Amran Governorate and Hamdan (Yemen).  On July 3, 2014, al Hakim reportedly told the Presidential Committee tasked with the supervision of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement in the Amran Governorate that the Huthi fighters would not withdraw from the positions and checkpoints under their control in the Amran Governorate, Hamdan District, and other areas in Bani Matar, Yemen. 

(U) In August 2014, the U.S. Department of State strongly condemned the Huthis for actions taken to undermine the Gulf Cooperation Council political transition process and Yemen’s stability.  Specifically, the U.S. condemned the Huthi’s “provocative, aggressive, and destabilizing actions and incitement against the Government of Yemen, the establishment of armed camps in and around Sana’a, and their continued illegitimate control of Amran.”

(U) As of early September 2014, Huthi military commander Abdullah Yahya al Hakim remained in Sana’a (Yemen) to oversee combat operations in case fighting began.  Al Hakim’s role was to organize Huthi military operations so as to be able to topple the Yemeni government on the order of Huthi leader ‘Abd al-Malik al-Huthi.  Al Hakim was responsible for securing and controlling all routes in and out of Sana’a.  He commanded a Huthi unit of about 300 persons paid to fight the Yemeni government.
--------

Follow me on Twitter @NabilAbiSaab