UN fails to act on Russia's call for cease-fire in Yemen
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 2 May 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, UN fails to act on Russia's call for cease-fire in Yemen, 2 May 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba6812.html [accessed 5 June 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 02, 2015
The UN Security Council in an emergency meeting has declined to back a Russian appeal for an immediate cease-fire in Yemen as a growing humanitarian crisis grips the war-torn country.
Russia requested the May 1 meeting in the sixth week of a Saudi-led air war on Yemen's Huthi rebels which has crippled deliveries of fuel, food, and medicine.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has warned that fuel shortages could bring all relief operations to a halt "within days," echoing alarm from the International Red Cross.
During a closed-door session, Russia proposed a draft statement calling for an immediate cease-fire or at least humanitarian pauses in the fighting.
After failing to win support, Ambassador Vitaly Churkin lashed out at fellow envoys for paying "lip service" to the worsening crisis.
But Russia's diplomacy was greeted with some suspicion given Moscow's close ties to Iran, which is supporting the Huthi rebels who have seized the capital, Sanaa.
Diplomats said the Russian appeal was not rejected out of hand, but that council members needed time to consider the wording.
Based on reporting by AP, Reuters, and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
