UN report accuses Yemen’s Houthi rebels of continuing to violate arms embargo

UNITED NATIONS — The Houthi rebels are continuing to violate a UN-imposed arms embargo in Yemen and to recruit children to fight in the seven-year war, according to a report provided to the Security Council and published today.

In an annual report, a panel of UN experts says it has concluded that “all military and paramilitary forces loyal to the Sanaa-based authorities fall under this definition” of having violated the arms embargo. The rebels control the capital Sanaa.

The 300-page report says the Houthis have continued “to source critical components for their weapon systems from companies in Europe and Asia, using a complex network of intermediaries to obscure the chain of custody.”

It says that “most types of uncrewed aerial vehicles, waterborne improvised explosive devices and short-range rockets are assembled in Houthi-controlled areas.”

Components such as engines and electronics, the report says, “are sourced from abroad using a complex network of intermediaries in Europe, the Middle East and Asia.”

The report doesn’t confirm frequent US and Saudi allegations that Iran is directly involved in the violations.

Tehran admits it supports the Houthis politically but denies it has helped them obtain arms.

The experts say evidence shows that weapons components and other military equipment “continue to be supplied overland to the Houthi forces by individuals and entities based in Oman.”

Oman, which shares a border with Yemen, is the only country in the region other than Iran to maintain official links with the Houthi.

The report also said waterborne improvised explosive devices were being launched from Houthi-controlled areas with increasing frequency over the past year.