The Saudi-led coalition waging airstrikes in Yemen took its offensive to the diplomatic stage on Tuesday, seeking a UN demand that rebels retreat and an arms embargo and sanctions are imposed against their leaders. The draft UN Security Council resolution put forward by Jordan and Gulf countries could be blocked by veto-wielding Russia which has friendly relations with Iran, an ally of the Shiite Huthi rebels.
It comes as fears grow of a humanitarian crisis in the impoverished country, which has sunk deeper into violence and chaos since the coalition launched an air war on the Huthis and allied rebel troops on March 26. A military source said armed tribesmen had seized control of Yemen’s only gas export terminal in Balhaf in the southern province of Shabwa on Tuesday and had vowed to secure the site after soldiers surrendered.
The terminal’s operator Yemen lNG said it had stopped production at the facility due to a “force majeure”. But a Total spokesman said Yemen lNG still controlled the terminal and that the perimeter had not been breached. The draft UN resolution is the first formal measure to come up for a vote in the Security Council since the start of the Saudi-led bombing raids.