U.N. imposes an expanded arms embargo on Yemen's Houthi rebels

NEW YORK - The United Nations Security Council on Monday expanded an arms embargo on Yemen's Houthis after the group claimed several drones and missile assaults on the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia this year.

The measure, proposed by the UAE, expands a targeted U.N. arms embargo on several Houthi leaders to the whole group after reports found them culpable of derailing peace deals in the Gulf and across the Middle East.

The motion received 11 votes in favor, while the remaining four council members - Ireland, Mexico, Brazil, and Norway - abstained, further giving room for regulation of arms in the Gulf region which has been even smuggled to the neighboring countries.

The ongoing conflict in Yemen has also spilled over to the Horn of Africa leading to an influx of thousands of refugees particularly to Somalia, a country that has also struggled with insecurities for the last three decades.

A report published by Hiraal Institute, a Mogadishu-based security Think Tank, established that Al-Shabaab militants have been using the current situation in Yemen to smuggle weapons for domestic use along with explosives.

The Al-Qaeda linked group, the report noted, uses $24 million annually to purchase weapons from abroad, particularly Yemen. The group also buys ammunition used to execute people through cold blood in the country and across borders.

Al-Shabaab has heightened attacks in Somalia during the current electioneering period, leading to the deaths of over 30 people in the last couple of weeks. Security forces have responded by killing dozens of the militants.

The group controls large swathes of rural central and southern Somalia but a concerted effort by security forces has literally managed to close down its activities. The Somali National Army and African Union Mission Forces in Somalia are solely behind the improved security in the country.

GAROWE ONLINE