Gulf Cooperation Council Calls for UN Military Intervention in Yemen

The Gulf Cooperation Council has urged the United Nations Security Council to act "decisively" and based on "Chapter Seven of the UN Charter" to prevent further deterioration of the situation in Yemen. Chapter Seven of the UN Charter allows the Security Council to issue commands for military operations in specific areas. The request from the Gulf Cooperation Council comes in response to increasing insecurity in Yemen and the takeover of Sana'a (the capital) by Shiite Houthi militants. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain, the six members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, called for UN military intervention in Yemen during their meeting in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, in reaction to the "coup against the legitimate and legal government" of the country. According to AFP, the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council also called for an emergency Arab League meeting to discuss the situation in Yemen. Diplomats have stated that the UN Security Council is expected to issue a resolution on Sunday demanding that the Houthis step down from power, release government officials, and return to peace negotiations mediated by the organization. The draft resolution calls on the Houthis to "immediately and unconditionally withdraw their forces from government locations and vacate the government and security organizations." In response to the Gulf Cooperation Council's request for UN military intervention in Yemen, Houthi leaders have stated that they will not step down in the face of threats. Mohammed Abdulsalam, the spokesperson for the group, said that "the people of Yemen are making free decisions without guardianship" for themselves. In recent weeks, the Shiite Houthi rebels have taken control of Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, placing President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi and several other senior government officials under house arrest. They have also formed a presidential council after dissolving the Yemeni parliament. The political instability in this Saudi neighbor has further strengthened al-Qaeda in the country. The UN Secretary-General has also warned of the "collapse" of Yemen. Reuters has reported that tens of thousands of people protested against the Houthis on Saturday in several cities in Yemen, including Sana'a, chanting slogans against this group, Iran, and Russia. Several protesters were injured due to Houthi gunfire. On Saturday, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and the Netherlands also closed their embassies in this chaotic country. Last week, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Germany, the United States, France, and Britain also closed their embassies in Yemen.