Muscat – On a visit to Muscat on Wednesday, US Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, emphasised the urgent need to end Houthi assaults in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden. In an online press briefing, Lenderking informed that he held a series of meetings in Saudi Arabia on Tuesday as well as Oman on Wednesday, including one with H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, Foreign Minister. 

During discussions in both countries, he said “the bottom line was that Houthis must immediately halt their attacks because they are undermining progress on the peace process and complicating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Yemenis and others in need, including the Palestinian people”.

He underscored the importance of de-escalating Houthi aggression to refocus on establishing lasting peace in Yemen, which is crucial for supporting Palestinian aspirations for a two-state solution. “Houthi attacks must stop so we can return our focus to the Yemen peace effort and direct our full attention towards supporting the Palestinians and their legitimate aspirations for a two-state solution, which Houthi behaviour, frankly, is complicating and undermining.”

Lenderking pointed out the wider repercussions of Houthi attacks, including endangering civilian lives, disrupting essential commodity flows and causing environmental damage. “These attacks inflate consumer prices and jeopardise the development objectives of regional countries reliant on maritime trade, including Oman,” he added, noting the paradox in Houthi justifications for their assaults amidst pressing humanitarian needs within Yemen itself.

“The Houthis claim that their actions are a response to the conflict in Gaza, but their attacks only hurt ordinary people in the region. You can care about and support the Palestinians and still oppose the Houthi attacks,” Lenderking added.

Regarding Oman and Saudi Arabia’s roles in the Yemeni peace process, he acknowledged their crucial contributions. “I can affirm the invaluable partnership of Oman and Saudi Arabia in seeking a resolution.”