UN warns US move against Houthis to have serious repercussions

UN warns US move against Houthis to have serious repercussions of humanitarian and political nature.

Stephane Dujarric, the UN spokesperson warned, while briefing correspondents at UN Headquarters on Monday.

United Nations warned that a U.S. move to designate Yemen’s Houthi movement as a foreign terrorist organization likely to have serious humanitarian and political repercussions.

UN warns US move against Houthis to have serious repercussions

The world body reaction came after US Secretary of State, Mike Pompeo, issued a statement on Sunday.

The US chief diplomat will present his plan to Congress on 19 January. If the US follows through on his threat, imports of food, and other essential items, could be negatively impacted, at a time when more Yemenis are starving.

However, Pompeo’s statement on Sunday also acknowledged concerns that the designations would have an “impact on the humanitarian situation in Yemen.

Moreover, Dujarric called for the US to ensure granting licenses and exemptions, so that humanitarian assistance continues to reach the people who need it, and the private sector can continue to function, in order to stave off complete economic collapse and large-scale famine.

But he reminded that the huge humanitarian operation in the country – the largest in the world – cannot replace the private sector. Nor it can compensate for major drops in commercial imports.

U.S. move put political process in Yemen at risk

Meanwhile,  UN spokesperson said the political process in Yemen also risks being destabilized as a result of the terrorist designation.

Dujarric further said the positions of the opposing sides in the conflict that has riven the country since 2015, could become even more polarized.

According to UN figures released in December, more than 230,000 Yemenis have died due to the war.

Mostly they died because of a lack of food, health services and infrastructure.

Meanwhile, Dujarric pledged that the UN will continue to work with all parties to “resume and continue an inclusive political process to reach a comprehensive negotiated settlement to end the conflict”.

GTV