Houthis “missed the main opportunity” by refusing the UN meeting: USA | New conflicts

The “serious conditions” in Yemen are deteriorating as the Houthis attack Marib and the Saudis called for a easing of the blockade, the US says.

Houthi representatives “failed to pass an important opportunity” in Oman by refusing to meet with UN special envoy Martin Griffiths, the U.S. State Department said Friday, urging all parties to negotiate to end the atrocities. six years of conflict.

“There is a fair deal on the table that will bring immediate relief to the people of Yemen,” the State Department special envoy Tim Lenderking said in a statement released from a round of meetings with the United States in Oman, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. Arabia.

“Contrary to statements made about the humanitarian situation in Yemen, the Houthis are deteriorating by continuing to attack Marib and are already vulnerable, exacerbating the serious conditions for internally displaced Yemenis,” the State Department said.

U.S. President Joe Biden named Lenderking to revive diplomatic efforts to end the war in Yemen. Biden has announced End of US military aid he blamed civilians for the Saudi-led Yemen campaign and made a diplomatic effort to find a political solution in Yemen.

Iran-backed Houthis have been attacking government forces Marib province, which is rich in oil to get leverage in any political solution. Lenderking told the U.S. Congress last month that Iran is supplying material aid and weapons to the Houthis.

In Saudi Arabia, Lenderking held meetings on April 30 with senior government officials to facilitate Saudi Arabia’s Prince Mohammed bin Salman, among others. Saudi blockade Hodeida Seaport and Sanaa Airport.

After meetings in Oman and Jordan, Lenderking returned to Riyadh to hold meetings with senior officials and asked the Saudis to reach a ceasefire agreement and encourage political talks with the Houthis.

Saudi Arabia and Iran have recently celebrated direct interviews in Iraq with the aim of opening diplomatic channels between the two opponents and reducing wider tensions in the region.

Saudi Arabian Ambassador Rayed Krimly, the chief planning officer of the Saudi Foreign Ministry, said the talks in Baghdad on Friday were exploratory.

“We hope to be successful, but it is too early and too early to reach definitive conclusions. Our assessment will be based on verifiable acts, not claims,” ​​Krimly told Reuters news service.

Meanwhile, the US said Lenderking met with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi alongside US Senator Chris Murphy and the two have held a separate meeting with UN special envoy Griffiths and ambassadors from the European Union, Germany and Britain to Yemen. until the end of the war.

In a May 6 tweet, Senator Murphy linked the continued support of the U.S. militia in Yemen to maintaining U.S. economic sanctions against Iran.

Clearly, Iran has helped push the war in Yemen. They have increased support for the Houthis in recent years, and while their position on the record may be to help the ceasefire, while “maximum pressure” remains, Iran wants to continue the war. https://t.co/1mMDgvW1rP

– Chris Murphy (@ChrisMurphyCT) May 6, 2021

Lenderking also met in Amman (Jordan) with King Abdullah II Greater US representation to discuss security issues in the region, including efforts by the U.S. to reintroduce Iran into the 2015 nuclear deal and Yemen.

“The Houthis left an important opportunity to show their commitment to peace and move forward with this proposal by refusing to meet with the UN Special Envoy for Griffiths – especially as the Yemeni government appeared ready to reach an agreement to end the conflict,” the statement said.

“With greater international consensus and drive to end the Yemeni conflict with greater delay, all parties must contact the UN special envoy and address the proposal on the table for the benefit of the people of Yemen.”