The Peaceful Revolution Youth Council strongly condemns the recent incursion of the city of Amran by the Houthi militia, resulting in casualties, the displacement of citizens, widespread looting of property, and the assault on the 310m armored brigade, where weapons, equipment, and lives were taken.

This blatant disregard for the outcomes of the National Dialogue Conference, which mandated the militia to surrender their weapons, cease the use of force, and relinquish control over all territories, directly contradicts Security Council Resolutions No. 2140 (Paragraph 3), Resolution 2051 (Paragraph 2), and Resolution 2140.

These resolutions specifically urge all parties in Yemen to immediately abstain from resorting to violence for political ends. The Council considers any employment of violence to achieve political objectives or any acts of aggression against state assets and institutions as hindrances to the transitional process. Consequently, such actions necessitate the imposition of deterrent penalties in accordance with Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.

The Houthi militia's recent assault and aggressive takeover of the city of Amran represents a flagrant disregard for the repeated appeals made by ten countries, most recently on June 28, 2014. These calls emphasized the imperative for all non-state actors to engage in simultaneous disarmament and maintain a politically neutral stance towards state institutions, particularly the military and security establishments. Furthermore, all parties were urged to refrain from provocative actions and honor the ceasefire agreements they have previously endorsed.

Furthermore, the Houthi militia displayed complete disregard for the statement issued by the presidential committee tasked with resolving tensions in Amran governorate and its surrounding areas on July 6, 2014. This statement called upon all parties involved to exercise restraint, halt the deterioration of security, and refrain from attacking official state institutions, facilities, and innocent civilians in the city of Amran. The committee emphasized that any transgressions or attempts to target the city or instill fear among its population would be considered a red line that cannot be tolerated.

In its subsequent statement on July 9, 2014, the committee highlighted the worsening security situation in the city of Amran over the past 48 hours, specifically addressing the armed Houthi group's attack and takeover of civil and military state institutions, leading to casualties and significant destruction of public and private assets. The Presidential Committee firmly held the Houthi group entirely responsible for these lamentable events and the subsequent developments in the province, emphasizing the grave risks they pose to national security and stability while considering them a violation of prior agreements and the outcomes of the national dialogue. Additionally, the committee held the Houthi militia responsible for the safety and security of all detained security, military, and civilian leaders, as well as the preservation of all buildings, equipment, and government and civil agencies.

Likewise, the Houthi militias disregarded the statement of the Special Envoy of the Secretary-General of the United Nations, Jamal Benomar, issued on July 8, 2014, which called for an immediate cessation of violence and hostile acts, including those occurring in the city of Amran, where the Houthi militias seek to seize control of certain locations in the city. The statement also urged respect for the existing ceasefire agreement.

All these decisions and statements have served as clear warnings to the Houthi militias, cautioning them against attacking state institutions, invading Amran city, and assaulting army units, as this deceitful and cowardly invasion not only obstructs the transitional process but also undermines it at its core, demolishing the prospects for peace, coexistence, and national partnership in Yemen.

The Council, while welcoming the Security Council's condemnation expressed in today's statement regarding the invasion of the city of Amran by Houthi militias and holding those militias fully responsible for the ensuing events and their consequences, firmly asserts that they shall not evade accountability or escape punishment for their committed crimes. Furthermore, the council emphasizes the need for decisive actions to be taken in response to this treacherous, savage, and cowardly aggression perpetrated by the Houthi group, as well as addressing their systematic undermining of the transitional process. This includes the imposition of sanctions under Chapter VII, recognizing them as a terrorist organization that employs violence to pursue political objectives and utilizes armed force to undermine the transitional process.

In addition, the Council calls for the formation of a committee responsible for assessing the damages, violations, and mistreatment inflicted upon the residents of Amran, along with the military units, security forces, and state institutions in the region, with the primary aim of holding the Houthi militias accountable and ensuring they face the necessary consequences for these criminal acts.

The Council has issued a warning that if the aggression is left unanswered and without any consequences, it will only empower the Houthi militia, who are currently located on the outskirts of the capital, Sana'a, to persist in committing similar crimes. As a result, the Council appeals to all revolutionary youth to align themselves with the state and actively support its endeavors to extend its influence throughout the entire national territory.

Issued by:
Peaceful Revolution Youth Council
July 9, 2014