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US Accuses Yemen’s Houthis of Obstructing Peace Efforts

Furniture and belongings are seen on a truck heading to a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Marib, Yemen November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Muhammad Fuhaid
Furniture and belongings are seen on a truck heading to a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Marib, Yemen November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Muhammad Fuhaid
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US Accuses Yemen’s Houthis of Obstructing Peace Efforts

Furniture and belongings are seen on a truck heading to a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Marib, Yemen November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Muhammad Fuhaid
Furniture and belongings are seen on a truck heading to a camp for internally displaced people (IDPs) in Marib, Yemen November 2, 2021. REUTERS/Muhammad Fuhaid

The US envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, has warned that the economic instability in Yemen and the ongoing "brutal" Houthi offensive on Marib are exacerbating the humanitarian crisis and obstructing peace efforts.

Lenderking met a Saudi delegation in Washington to discuss developments in Yemen and the offensive of the Houthi militias.

The US State Department's Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs announced on Twitter that during the meeting, Lenderking discussed the need for rapid implementation of economic reforms to bring "immediate relief to the people."

The Saudi delegation included Saudi Ambassador to the US Princess Reema bint Bandar, Saudi Ambassador to Yemen Mohamed Al Jaber, and Arab Coalition Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Turki al-Malki.

Sources told Asharq Al-Awsat that Lenderking would return to the Middle East on a new tour, during which he will hold meetings in the region. It will be his 13th trip to the region since he assumed his position last February.

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Barzani in Baghdad for ‘Decisive Settlement’ after ‘Exceptional Welcome'

Baghdad shows great interest in Barzani’s visit (government media)
Baghdad shows great interest in Barzani’s visit (government media)
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Barzani in Baghdad for ‘Decisive Settlement’ after ‘Exceptional Welcome'

Baghdad shows great interest in Barzani’s visit (government media)
Baghdad shows great interest in Barzani’s visit (government media)

The Iraqi government and the Coordination Framework parties welcomed the head of the Kurdistan Democratic Party, Masoud Barzani, with an exceptional reception, as shown in photos published by official websites.
Barzani arrived in Baghdad, ending a 6-year rupture imposed by the deep disputes between Erbil and the federal government, over a wide range of fundamental matters.
At the beginning of his visit, Barzani met with Prime Minister Mohammad al-Sudani, before holding talks with a large number of officials and leaders of political parties and blocs.
“My visit to Baghdad aims to strengthen the efforts made by the Prime Minister which led to a real breakthrough between the federal government and the region,” he said during his meeting with Sudani and other Iraqi officials.
He pointed to “constructive” dialogue and “identical views” regarding internal and regional issues.
For his part, Sudani emphasized the importance of Barzani’s visit to Baghdad.
“We held a constructive and purposeful dialogue on various internal issues and regional developments,” he stated.
Barzani also met with the head of the Judicial Council. A press statement said the two officials “discussed important legal and judicial files related to developing the work of the judiciary in the Kurdistan region.”
Later on Wednesday, the Iraqi prime minister threw a banquet in honor of Barzani, a government statement said. Footage published by government media showed the presence of prominent leaders in the Coordination Framework, including Nouri al-Maliki and Ammar al-Hakim.
For its part, the Coordination Framework welcomed Barzani’s visit. Coalition member Ayed Al-Hilali said that the leader of the Kurdistan Democratic Party came to Baghdad carrying “many solutions,” local media reported.
“Barzani’s visit at this time is very important for resolving the outstanding problems between Baghdad and Erbil... and for bringing viewpoints closer on many disputed issues,” he remarked.
Relations between Baghdad and Erbil have witnessed relative improvement since May, when the Federal Court overturned a previous ruling to abolish the “quota” for minorities in the regional parliament elections and paved the way for the return of the Kurdistan Democratic Party to the electoral race.
Meanwhile, the media advisor to the leader of the Democratic Party, Kifah Mahmoud, stressed that the relationship between Erbil and Baghdad was never interrupted, as mutual visits between the two sides took place throughout this period.
However, he told Asharq Al-Awsat: “The relationship was marred by serious complications that reached their peak after Baghdad used the armed forces in the political conflict with the region, as happened in the invasion of Kirkuk and the rest of the disputed areas in 2017.”
Mahmoud agreed that Barzani’s visit would constitute a “decisive settlement” by the Kurdish leader with the political officials in Baghdad, and would pave the way for addressing outstanding problems regarding the Nineveh Provincial Council, regional elections and security conditions.