| Status of the embargo | Ongoing |
| Entity | Non-States Actors |
| Organisation(s) imposing embargo(es) | UN & EU |
| Restriction(s) | Conventional weapons |
| Exceptions | Yes, prior approval |
Yemen is currently under UN and EU arms embargoes.
UN
Yemen has been under UN arms embargo since 2015 (Resolution 2216 (2015)).
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The sanctions regime, as detailed in Resolution 2216 (2015), updated by Resolution 2624 (2022) and reaffirmed in Resolution 2707 (2023), decides that all Member States shall immediately take the necessary measures to prevent :
- the direct or indirect supply, sale or transfer to (…) of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned, and technical assistance, training, financial or other assistance, related to military activities or the provision, maintenance or use of any arms and related materiel, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel whether or not originating in their territories” to or for the benefit of Ali Abdullah Saleh, Abdullah Yahya Al Hakim, Abd Al-Khaliq Al-Huthi, and the individuals and entities designated by the Committee established pursuant to paragraph 19 of Resolution 2140 (2014) of this resolution, pursuant to paragraph 20 (d) of Resolution 2216, the individuals and entities listed in the annex of this resolution, and those acting on their behalf or at their direction in Yemen, from or through their territories or by their nationals, or using their flag vessels or aircraft. (Resolution 2216 (2015), para. 14)
The Council also decided that the Houthist movement will be subject to the sanctions imposed by paragraph 14 of resolution 2216 (2015) (Resolution 2624 (2022), para.5).
Moreover, Member States are required to take the necessary measures “to inspect (…) all cargo to Yemen, in their territory, including seaports and airports, if the State concerned has information that provides reasonable grounds to believe the cargo contains items the supply, sale, or transfer of which is prohibited by paragraph 14 of this resolution for the purpose of ensuring strict implementation of those provisions” (Resolution 2216 (2015), para. 15). Member States are authorized to, upon discovery of items the supply, sale or transfer of which is prohibited, to seize and destroy these items, and to cooperate in such efforts Resolution 2216 (2015), para. 16).
Others
The Council encourages Member States to support capacity building efforts of the Yemeni Coast Guard to effectively implement the measures imposed by paragraph 14 of Resolution 2216 (2015) with full respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Yemen (reaffirmed in Resolution 2722 (2024)).
In Resolution 2758 (2024), the Security Council renewed the sanctions regime until November 15, 2025. The regime has been extended to the Houthis since February 28, 2022 (Resolution 2624 (2022)). The mandate of the group of experts has been extended until December 15, 2025 (Resolution 2758 (2024), para 2).
Yemen is also under an EU arms embargo.
EU
Yemen has been under EU arms embargo since June 2015 (Decision 2014/932/CFSP). The EU sanctions transpose those adopted by the UN Security Council.
- Conventional weapons
Prohibitions
The current sanctions regime, as detailed in updated versions of Council Decision 2014/932/CFSP and Regulation 1352/2014, prohibits :
- the supply of arms and related materiel of all types, including weapons and ammunition, military vehicles and equipment, paramilitary equipment, and spare parts for the aforementioned to, or for the benefit of, the individuals and entities designated by the United Nations Security Council or the UN Sanctions Committee on Yemen and those acting on their behalf or at their direction in Yemen (Decision 2014/932/CFSP, art. 1, para 1.). The persons and entities concerned are listed in Annex I of Regulation 1352/2014.
- the provision of technical assistance, financing or financial assistance related to these military activities, including the provision of armed mercenary personnel, or related to items aforementioned, is prohibited to persons and entities listed in Annex I of Regulation 1352/2014 (Decision 2014/932/CFSP, art. 1, para 2 and Regulation 1352/2014, art.1a, a and b).
Exceptions
Requiring prior approval from the UN Sanctions Committee:
- the provision of technical assistance, financing or financial assistance related to the activities and items prohibited to facilitate the work of the United Nations and other humanitarian organisations in Yemen or for any other purpose consistent with the objectives of UNSCR 2140 (2014) and UNSCR 2216 (2015) (Regulation 1352/2014, art.3a, para.1, a).
Others
Arms-related sanctions are indefinite.
Yemen is also under UN arms embargo.
Restrictions diagram:
Conventional weapons