A proposal that meets long-standing demands of Houthis in Yemen and stops the fighting in the war-torn country’s northeastern governorate was tabled to the insurgency group, a US State Department spokesperson, who requested anonymity, told Asharq Al-Awsat.
“If the Houthis are committed to ending the war and improving the humanitarian situation in Yemen, then they should cease their attack on Marib,” they said.
The peace offer made to Houthis centers on three fundamental points that are facilitating the flow of goods into and within Yemen, implementing a nationwide ceasefire, and rebooting political talks.
“Unfortunately, Houthis are pressing on with their offensive on Marib, which has devastating humanitarian consequences, instead of choosing peace,” said the spokesperson, despite having first expressed hope for imminent progress in peace efforts.
“The international community is united in its call for Houthis to end their attack in Marib immediately,” they added, stressing that the world urges Houthis to “engage constructively with the UN.”
Moreover, ending the war and humanitarian suffering in Yemen is central to Washington’s list of priorities.
“Renewed US efforts helped build a strong international consensus, and recent efforts by regional actors have been fruitful,” said the State Department official, adding that the US has set its Middle East diplomacy in high gear to help resolve the Yemeni conflict.
“Support from regional actors will be vital in any endeavor for resolving the war in Yemen,” they noted, predicting more developments coming up in next week’s UN Security Council meeting.
On a tangent, UN Special Envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths bemoaned prolonging the Yemeni crisis but said he would keep talking to all parties involved in the conflict.
“We have been discussing these issues for over a year now, and the international community has been supporting us in full force,” he said in a statement on Wednesday.
“Unfortunately, we are not where we would like to be in reaching a deal. Meanwhile, the war continues unabated and causes immense suffering to the civilian population.”
“I will keep engaging all involved, concerned actors and stakeholders to offer them opportunities to find common grounds to help advance the peace efforts,” said the diplomat.
