Proposed UN Resolution Would Establish Long-Term Yemen Ceasefire Monitoring

A new draft resolution making its way to the UN Security Council seeks to establish a long-term Yemen ceasefire monitoring mission. The resolution is drafted by Britain and expected to be voted on next week.

A previous resolution from December 21 established a small monitoring team for 30 days. About 20 monitors are in place now. Under the British plan, up to 75 monitors could be sent. The initial period would be six months, and the resolution makes room for extensions.

In addition to monitoring the ceasefire, the new mission would monitor troop redeployment promised by both sides, and help provide security for three ports within the ceasefire area, including the main Hodeidah aid port.

Britain’s last attempt at such a resolution was derailed by US and Saudi opposition, as they demanded that the resolution blame everything on Iran, and also remove any call for war crimes investigation. The compromise resolution killed the investigation call, but didn’t blame Iran. It also made the monitor project very temporary, which is why a new version is being sought just weeks later.