U.N. Security Council slaps arms embargo on Yemen’s Houthis

Richard Roth Greg Botelho
By Richard Roth, Dominique Dodley and Greg Botelho, CNN
Updated 5:35 PM EDT, Tue April 14, 2015
01:06 - Source: CNN
U.N. Envoy: Yemen in state of civil war

Story highlights

NEW: Egypt, Saudi Arabia to launch joint military maneuvers inside Saudi borders

The arms embargo applies to the Houthis and backers of ex-President Saleh

Russia abstains from the U.N. Security Council vote over the inclusion of sanctions

CNN  — 

The U.N. Security Council voted Tuesday in favor of an arms embargo on Houthis – the minority group that has taken over large swaths of Yemen, including its capital, Sanaa – and supporters of former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The resolution “raises the cost” for the Houthis, according to Mark Lyall Grant, Britain’s ambassador to the United Nations.

In addition to the arms embargo, it also demands that the Shiite group pull back and refrain from more violence and includes sanctions aimed at controlling the spread of terrorism, according to Grant.

Russia abstained from Tuesday’s vote, saying it didn’t like the inclusion of sanctions.

In recent weeks, Saudi Arabia has led a coalition that is conducting airstrikes on targets associated with Saleh’s supporters and the Houthis, who have emerged as Yemen’s most dominant force in recent months.

Also Tuesday, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Saudi Arabian Minister of Defense Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz agreed to form a joint military commission to discuss the implementation of a major strategic maneuver inside Saudi Arabia, Egypt’s state-run Ahram news agency reported.

Egypt announced that it would dispatch several naval ships to help halt the rebels’ advance. In response to media reports, Egyptian officials said no troops have yet been sent to Yemen.

The Houthis forced President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi from power in January, though Hadi still claims he is Yemen’s legitimate leader and is working with the Saudis and other allies to return to Yemen.

Those allied with Hadi have accused the Iranian government of supporting the Houthis in their uprising in Yemen.

They include Yemen’s current ambassador to the United Nations, Khaled Mahfoodh Abdulla Bahah, who said Tuesday, “We refuse (the) influence of Iran in Yemen affairs.”

The sky over Sanaa, Yemen, is illuminated by anti-aircraft fire during a Saudi-led airstrike on Friday, April 17. The coalition's warplanes have been carrying out strikes against Houthi rebels since President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi fled the country in late March.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Shohdi Alsofi/AP
The sky over Sanaa, Yemen, is illuminated by anti-aircraft fire during a Saudi-led airstrike on Friday, April 17. The coalition's warplanes have been carrying out strikes against Houthi rebels since President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi fled the country in late March.
A Yemeni boy holds a rifle as Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, April 5, protesting airstrikes carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
YAHYA ARHAB/EPA/LANDOV
A Yemeni boy holds a rifle as Houthi supporters attend a rally in Sanaa, Yemen, on Sunday, April 5, protesting airstrikes carried out by a Saudi-led coalition against Houthi rebels.
Yemenis dig graves on Saturday, April 4, to bury the victims of a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the village of Bani Matar, Yemen.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Yemenis dig graves on Saturday, April 4, to bury the victims of a reported airstrike by the Saudi-led coalition in the village of Bani Matar, Yemen.
Yemenis search for survivors in the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes on April 4 in a village near Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
Yemenis search for survivors in the rubble of houses destroyed by Saudi-led airstrikes on April 4 in a village near Sanaa.
Central Sanaa is covered in dust on Friday, April 3. Airstrikes have turned the bustling capital of Yemen into a ghost town.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMED AL-SAYAGHI/Reuters/LANDOV
Central Sanaa is covered in dust on Friday, April 3. Airstrikes have turned the bustling capital of Yemen into a ghost town.
A Yemeni man loads a TV set into a van as he prepares to flee Sanaa on Thursday, April 2.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
A Yemeni man loads a TV set into a van as he prepares to flee Sanaa on Thursday, April 2.
Militiamen loyal to Hadi take positions on a street in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday, April 2. Houthi rebels seized the presidential palace in Aden, a neutral security official and two Houthi commanders in Aden told CNN. The Houthis are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country. The Sunni Saudis consider the Houthis proxies for the Shiite government of Iran and fear another Shiite-dominated state in the region.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Wael Qubady/AP
Militiamen loyal to Hadi take positions on a street in Aden, Yemen, on Thursday, April 2. Houthi rebels seized the presidential palace in Aden, a neutral security official and two Houthi commanders in Aden told CNN. The Houthis are Shiite Muslims who have long felt marginalized in the majority Sunni country. The Sunni Saudis consider the Houthis proxies for the Shiite government of Iran and fear another Shiite-dominated state in the region.
A framed photo and a purse hang on the wall of a house destroyed by an airstrike near the Sanaa airport on Tuesday, March 31.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
KHALED ABDULLAH/Reuters/LANDOV
A framed photo and a purse hang on the wall of a house destroyed by an airstrike near the Sanaa airport on Tuesday, March 31.
Buildings burn at the Jabal al-Hadid military camp in Aden on Saturday, March 28. Yemeni military officials said an explosion rocked the camp that houses a weapons depot, killing and wounding several people. The camp reportedly had been taken by security forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Some of the forces aligned with the Houthis are also loyal to Saleh, who resigned in 2012 after months of Arab Spring protests.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Yassir Hassan/AP
Buildings burn at the Jabal al-Hadid military camp in Aden on Saturday, March 28. Yemeni military officials said an explosion rocked the camp that houses a weapons depot, killing and wounding several people. The camp reportedly had been taken by security forces loyal to former Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Some of the forces aligned with the Houthis are also loyal to Saleh, who resigned in 2012 after months of Arab Spring protests.
Yemeni supporters of the Houthi movement attend a demonstration against Saudi military operations Thursday, March 26, in Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Mohammed Hamoud/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Yemeni supporters of the Houthi movement attend a demonstration against Saudi military operations Thursday, March 26, in Sanaa.
People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by airstrikes near the Sanaa Airport on March 26.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
People search for survivors under the rubble of houses destroyed by airstrikes near the Sanaa Airport on March 26.
Members of Yemen's General People's Committee deploy in Aden, Yemen, on Wednesday, March 25. The militiamen are loyal to Hadi.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Wael Shaif Thabet/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Members of Yemen's General People's Committee deploy in Aden, Yemen, on Wednesday, March 25. The militiamen are loyal to Hadi.
On March 25, honor guards in Sanaa carry the coffins of victims who were killed in<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/20/world/gallery/yemen-attack/index.html" target="_blank"> suicide bombing attacks</a> several days earlier. Deadly explosions in Sanaa rocked two mosques serving the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, which is followed by the Houthi rebels that took over the capital city in January.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
On March 25, honor guards in Sanaa carry the coffins of victims who were killed in suicide bombing attacks several days earlier. Deadly explosions in Sanaa rocked two mosques serving the Zaidi sect of Shiite Islam, which is followed by the Houthi rebels that took over the capital city in January.
Yemenis stand in front of burning tires during an anti-Houthi protest in Taiz, Yemen, on Tuesday, March 24.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Alaa Amr Al-Ganemi/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Yemenis stand in front of burning tires during an anti-Houthi protest in Taiz, Yemen, on Tuesday, March 24.
Medics treat an anti-Houthi protester who was injured during clashes with pro-Houthi police in Taiz on March 24.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Anees Mahyoub/AP
Medics treat an anti-Houthi protester who was injured during clashes with pro-Houthi police in Taiz on March 24.
Armed men inspect damage after an explosion at the Al Badr mosque in Sanaa on Friday, March 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Armed men inspect damage after an explosion at the Al Badr mosque in Sanaa on Friday, March 20.
A man in Aden holds a police shield that he looted from a base belonging to forces loyal to Saleh on Thursday, March 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hamza Hendawi/AP
A man in Aden holds a police shield that he looted from a base belonging to forces loyal to Saleh on Thursday, March 19.
Houthi supporters in Sanaa deploy giant national flags Wednesday, March 18, during a demonstration to mark the fourth anniversary of the "Friday of Dignity" attack. In 2011, forces loyal to Saleh <a href="http://www.cnn.com/2011/10/15/world/meast/yemen-unrest/" target="_blank">opened fire on protesters</a> who had gathered in Sanaa to demand the ouster of Saleh and his regime.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthi supporters in Sanaa deploy giant national flags Wednesday, March 18, during a demonstration to mark the fourth anniversary of the "Friday of Dignity" attack. In 2011, forces loyal to Saleh opened fire on protesters who had gathered in Sanaa to demand the ouster of Saleh and his regime.
Supporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of the former President, wave banners and shout slogans during a demonstration in Sanaa on Tuesday, March 10. The demonstrators were demanding presidential elections be held and that the younger Saleh run for office.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
Supporters of Ahmed Ali Abdullah Saleh, the son of the former President, wave banners and shout slogans during a demonstration in Sanaa on Tuesday, March 10. The demonstrators were demanding presidential elections be held and that the younger Saleh run for office.
A child raises his fist during a rally by Houthi supporters in Sanaa on Friday, March 6.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A child raises his fist during a rally by Houthi supporters in Sanaa on Friday, March 6.
Thousands of armed Yemeni tribal members gather in the southern province of Shabwa on Monday, February 23.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands of armed Yemeni tribal members gather in the southern province of Shabwa on Monday, February 23.
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement perform prayers during a demonstration in Aden on Friday, February 13.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement perform prayers during a demonstration in Aden on Friday, February 13.
Houthi fighters guard the gate of the presidential palace where a bomb went off and wounded three people in Sanaa on Saturday, February 7.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Ali/Xinhua/SIPA
Houthi fighters guard the gate of the presidential palace where a bomb went off and wounded three people in Sanaa on Saturday, February 7.
Yemeni soldiers guard the presidential palace in Sanaa on Friday, February 6.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Yemeni soldiers guard the presidential palace in Sanaa on Friday, February 6.
Members of the Houthi movement and their allies attend a meeting in the Yemeni capital on Sunday, February 1.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Members of the Houthi movement and their allies attend a meeting in the Yemeni capital on Sunday, February 1.
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement flash the victory sign after they seized police security checkpoints on Saturday, January 24, in Ataq, the capital of the Shabwa province in Yemen. Policemen were told to give up their weapons and return to their bases before the militiamen raised flags of the formerly independent South Yemen at the checkpoints.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Stringer/AFP/Getty Images
Supporters of the separatist Southern Movement flash the victory sign after they seized police security checkpoints on Saturday, January 24, in Ataq, the capital of the Shabwa province in Yemen. Policemen were told to give up their weapons and return to their bases before the militiamen raised flags of the formerly independent South Yemen at the checkpoints.
Houthi rebels fight with Yemeni protesters during a rally in Sanaa on January 24. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in the largest demonstration against Houthis since the Shiite militiamen overran the capital in September.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthi rebels fight with Yemeni protesters during a rally in Sanaa on January 24. Thousands of Yemenis took to the streets of Sanaa in the largest demonstration against Houthis since the Shiite militiamen overran the capital in September.
On Friday, January 23, Houthis carry coffins of those killed during recent clashes with presidential guard forces in Sanaa.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
On Friday, January 23, Houthis carry coffins of those killed during recent clashes with presidential guard forces in Sanaa.
A Houthi militiaman sits near a tank near the presidential palace in Sanaa on Thursday, January 22.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A Houthi militiaman sits near a tank near the presidential palace in Sanaa on Thursday, January 22.
Houthi men wearing army uniforms stand guard on a street leading to the presidential palace in Sanaa on Wednesday, January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
Houthi men wearing army uniforms stand guard on a street leading to the presidential palace in Sanaa on Wednesday, January 21.
A wounded man rests at a hospital in Sanaa on January 21. He was reportedly injured in fierce clashes the previous day.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A wounded man rests at a hospital in Sanaa on January 21. He was reportedly injured in fierce clashes the previous day.
A tank is stationed in front of the Sanaa house of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi on January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
ABDULRAHMAN HWAIS/EPA/LANDOV
A tank is stationed in front of the Sanaa house of President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi on January 21.
A Houthi rebel mans a checkpoint near the presidential palace on January 21.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A Houthi rebel mans a checkpoint near the presidential palace on January 21.
A man walks inside a heavily damaged house near the presidential palace on Tuesday, January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A man walks inside a heavily damaged house near the presidential palace on Tuesday, January 20.
A woman walks past closed shops in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A woman walks past closed shops in Sanaa on January 20.
An armed member of the Houthi movement stands guard in the streets of Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
GAMAL NOMAN/AFP/Getty Images
An armed member of the Houthi movement stands guard in the streets of Sanaa on January 20.
A man surveys his damaged home in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
A man surveys his damaged home in Sanaa on January 20.
Houthis inspect a damaged mosque in Sanaa on January 20.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
MOHAMMED HUWAIS/AFP/Getty Images
Houthis inspect a damaged mosque in Sanaa on January 20.
Houthi men raise their weapons during clashes near the presidential palace on Monday, January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
Houthi men raise their weapons during clashes near the presidential palace on Monday, January 19.
Smoke and flames rise in Sanaa during heavy clashes between presidential guards and Houthi rebels on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Stringer/EPA/Landov
Smoke and flames rise in Sanaa during heavy clashes between presidential guards and Houthi rebels on January 19.
Tribal soldiers protecting the city from Houthi rebels stand guard at the city borders in Marib, Yemen, on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Ali Owimdha/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images
Tribal soldiers protecting the city from Houthi rebels stand guard at the city borders in Marib, Yemen, on January 19.
Houthi men guard a Sanaa street on January 19.
Photos: Unrest in Yemen
Hani Mohammed/AP
Houthi men guard a Sanaa street on January 19.

CNN’s Richard Roth and Dominique Dodley reported from New York, and CNN’s Greg Botelho wrote this report from Atlanta. CNN’s Salma Abdelaziz contributed to this report.