Senate Grants Green Light to US Support for Coalition in Yemen

Hadi meets with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen on Thursday (Saba news agency)
Hadi meets with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen on Thursday (Saba news agency)
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Senate Grants Green Light to US Support for Coalition in Yemen

Hadi meets with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen on Thursday (Saba news agency)
Hadi meets with Saudi Arabia's Ambassador to Yemen on Thursday (Saba news agency)

The US Senate on Tuesday upheld a veto issued last month by President Donald Trump on a bill that Congress had passed to end Washington’s military assistance to the Arab Coalition in Yemen.

The Senate voted 53 to 45 to override Trump's veto. But 67 votes are needed to do so in the 100-member chamber.

In early April, lawmakers in both the House and Senate passed a legislation, activating for the first time a 1973 law that gives Congress the power to end US military interventions it did not authorize.

However, Trump blocked the bill, calling it an "unnecessary, dangerous attempt" to weaken his authority.

With the new Senate move, the United States will continue to assist Saudi-led forces in Yemen.

Meanwhile in Riyadh, Yemeni President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi deeply appreciated Saudi Arabia's unlimited support for Yemen, highly praising the Kingdom's substantial contribution to humanitarian efforts and the development drive in the country.

Hadi’s statement came during a meeting Thursday with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen and General Supervisor of the Saudi Program for Development and Reconstruction in Yemen Mohammed Al-Jaber.

Hadi asked the Saudi Ambassador to convey his greetings to King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.

The Saudi diplomat reiterated the Kingdom's principled stance in supporting the legitimacy in Yemen at different international forums and peace efforts in line with the three terms of references and UN resolutions.

Last week, informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that a ministerial meeting of the Yemen quartet held in London discussed the need for the Yemeni government and Houthi militias to implement the Hodeidah agreement by May 15, ahead of a UN Security Council session on Yemen.

Earlier, UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths announced that the legitimate government and Houthis have accepted a detailed redeployment plan in Hodeidah, and that his team was working on resolving the final outstanding issues related to the operational plans for phase two, redeployments and also the issue of the status of local security forces.



Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
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Al-Alimi to UN Envoy: Houthis Not a Reliable Peace Partner

Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)
Yemen’s Presidential Leadership Council head Rashad al-Alimi welcomes UN Envoy Grundberg in Aden, Yemen (SABA)

UN envoy Hans Grundberg is working to address the Yemeni crisis, but Rashad al-Alimi, head of Yemen's Presidential Leadership Council (PLC), has questioned the Houthi militias’ trustworthiness for peace.

During Grundberg’s visit to Aden, the interim capital, Al-Alimi told him that the Houthis may not be a reliable partner. Grundberg had called for “constructive dialogue” to ease tensions.

Yemen’s state media reported that Al-Alimi received an update on Grundberg’s recent talks and his focus on reducing tensions and restarting the peace process, which has been disrupted by “Houthi terrorist groups supported by Iran.”

Grundberg thanked Yemen’s PLC and government for their work to reduce tensions and prevent a return to widespread conflict, according to SABA News Agency.

On his part, al-Alimi reaffirmed support for the UN’s efforts to restart a political process based on a Saudi roadmap.

He also supported UN efforts to address the worsening humanitarian situation caused by Houthi attacks on oil facilities and shipping lanes, which he said are backed by Iran.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for continued local, regional, and international attention on Houthi actions, including human rights abuses and measures against Yemenia Airways that worsen humanitarian conditions and damage the airline’s reputation.

The Houthi group, backed by Iran, is holding four Yemenia Airways planes in Sanaa and blocking the airline from accessing around $120 million in its bank accounts.

The PLC chief said a recent failed Houthi attack on the Safir oil facility in Marib shows the Houthis are not a reliable partner for peace. He accused them of prioritizing their supporters’ interests over Yemen’s needs.

Al-Alimi stressed the need for international unity and listening to Yemenis’ calls for stability and peace, in line with UN resolutions, especially UNSC Resolution 2216.

Grundberg, who has not reported progress on economic issues between the Yemeni government and the Houthis, urged for constructive dialogue to reduce tensions. His office stated that he and Al-Alimi discussed the urgent need for a broader dialogue to ease tensions across Yemen.

Grundberg has expressed concern over UN staff held by the Houthis and renewed the UN Secretary-General’s call for their immediate release.

The UN diplomat ended his visit to Muscat, where he met with Omani officials and Houthi negotiator Mohammad Abdelsalam. He stressed the urgent need for de-escalation in Yemen and urged the Houthis to prioritize the well-being of the Yemeni people.

Grundberg also called for the immediate release of the detained UN staff during his meetings. Before Muscat, he discussed de-escalation efforts with Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohammad Al Jaber in Riyadh.

In Riyadh, Grundberg met with the ambassadors of the five permanent UN Security Council members, highlighting the need for a unified approach to support peace talks and a ceasefire in Yemen.