The Chair and the Executive Director reiterated their strong support for Yemen in combatting terrorism, including Yemen’s efforts to tackle the phenomenon of foreign terrorist fighters, especially amidst the political instability and security threats rocking the country. Foreign terrorist fighters are on the international agenda and particularly on the Security Council’s agenda, particularly in light of the recent adoption of Security Council resolution 2178 (2014), which was co-sponsored by Yemen.
In resolution 2178 (2014), the Security Council requires countries to take certain steps to address the threat from these fighters, including preventing suspected foreign terrorist fighters from entering or transiting their territories and to ensure and implement legislation to prosecute these individuals. The resolution calls on States to undertake various steps to improve international cooperation in this field, such as by sharing information related to criminal investigations and prosecutions. Furthermore, the document inter alia requests the Counter-Terrorism Committee, within its existing mandate and with the support of CTED, to identify principal gaps in Member States’ capacities to implement Security Council resolutions 1373 (2001) and 1624 (2005) that may hinder States’ abilities to stem the flow of foreign terrorist fighters.
The Chair of the Counter-Terrorism Committee and the Executive Director of its Executive Directorate (CTED) pledged to fulfil this mandate and continue its active engagement and cooperation with Yemen to this end.