United Nations experts are warning of a “growing body of evidence” that Iran is sending weapons to Houthi rebels in war-torn Yemen, in a report that warns of the deteriorating situation in the country with “devastating consequences” for the population civil.
A report by a UN panel of experts to the Security Council, a copy of which was obtained by Fox News, says that “there is a growing body of evidence showing that individuals or entities within the Islamic Republic of Iran are engaged in sending of weapons and weapon components for the Houthis “, in violation of UN resolutions.
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Evidence includes anti-tank guided missiles, sniper rifles and RPB launchers, all with markings consistent with those made in Iran.
The Trump administration had warned of Iran’s measures to destabilize the Middle East by selling arms and tried to re-enforce a broader arms embargo, as well as other sanctions that were expiring as part of the 2015 Iran deal – but faced resistance of allies and others at the UN that hindered the effort.
The Biden administration has taken a different approach than the Trump administration in Iran – where it has indicated that it wants to return to the agreement with Iran and be reunited with Tehran – and also in the conflict in Yemen between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthi rebels, who control the north of the country.
Trump-era Secretary of State Mike Pompeo imposed sanctions on the Houthis in the last days of the government, designating them a “foreign terrorist organization” (FTO). This move was part of the government’s efforts to isolate Iran and also support the Saudis.
However, since taking office, the Biden government has lifted some of the sanctions associated with that designation until February 26 – although it has not yet reversed the designation. The UN report warned that designating the Houthis as an FTO could hamper the delivery of aid and food to the country, undermining the peace process and exacerbating malnutrition.
The six-year civil war resulted in the death of more than 112,000 people and destroyed the country’s infrastructure. UN estimates say 13.5 million Yemenis face food insecurity.
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The UN report paints a bleak picture: “The situation in Yemen has continued to deteriorate, with devastating consequences for the civilian population.”
It accuses all parties involved of “continuous and widespread violations of human rights and international law with impunity; and escalations in the fighting and its impact on civilians, including displacement”.
The report concludes that the Houthis continue to attack civilian targets in Saudi Arabia, using missiles and other weapons, while the government is “involved in money laundering and corruption practices that negatively affect access to adequate food supplies for Yemenis, in violation. the right to food. ”
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The report accuses the government of embezzling $ 423 million of public money for traders – the Yemen Central Bank has denied the charges.
“All parties continue to commit blatant violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, including indiscriminate attacks against civilians, forced disappearances and torture,” the report said.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.