Security Council decries deadly terrorist attack in Yemeni capital

The United Nations Security Council strongly condemned today’s deadly terrorist attack in Sana’a, as well as other recent terrorist attacks in Yemen, and stressed its support for President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi and his Government to combat terrorism.

The members of the Security Council expressed their deep sympathy and condolences to the family of the one person killed in today’s attack – a French citizen – and extended their sympathies to those injured, as well as to the Governments of Yemen and France.

In today’s statement, the body’s 15 members reaffirmed that terrorism “is criminal and unjustifiable, regardless of its motivation, wherever, whenever and by whomsoever committed”, and “should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic group”.

Reiterating their determination to combat all forms of terror, in accordance with the responsibilities listed under the UN Charter, Council members further “urged all States, in accordance with their obligations under international law and relevant Security Council resolutions, to cooperate actively with the Yemeni authorities” so that perpetrators, organizers, financiers and sponsors of these reprehensible acts of terrorism can be brought to justice.

In March, the Council condemned an attack in Hadramawt, Yemen, in which 20 soldiers were killed.

Yemen has been undergoing a democratic transition, with a Government of National Unity, which came to power in an election in February 2012 following the resignation of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Security Council members have voiced strong support for the political process in Yemen. In February of this year, they set up a sanctions regime that includes an asset freeze and travel ban against potential ‘spoilers’ who would obstruct or undermine the successful completion of the political transition.