The United States revealed plans to assist the Yemeni government with military experts, including officers who train Yemeni forces and help build the army's capabilities while continuing to combat terrorism and child recruitment and prevent weapons from reaching the Houthis.
The State Department's "2021 Trafficking in Persons" report stated that Washington would use the International Military Education and Training (IMET) funding to build capacity within the Republic of Yemen Government (ROYG) military by sending selected military officers for the US for non-technical training.
These courses would focus on the professionalization of military forces and would bolster the rule of law within the Yemeni Armed Forces.
This step represents a significant turning point in the US approach in tackling the Yemeni crisis, as the Biden administration has engaged in efforts to end the Yemeni war. It also appointed special envoy Tim Lenderking to support the UN envoy's efforts to end the crisis and reach a political solution.
The report confirmed that this training would support US efforts to prevent the recruitment of child soldiers, stressing that support and cooperation can only be with the army of the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The Department of Defense (DoD) intends to use its authority under 10 USC 333 to re-engage with and build the capacity of the Yemeni Armed Forces – the military of the recognized government of Yemen.
The report notes that these efforts support US national interests in fighting terrorism, countering violent extremist organizations and illicit smuggling, and ensuring freedom of navigation through the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.
"Critically, this focused support would increase Yemeni capacity to counter malign Iranian activity, including the smuggling of lethal weapons that are contributing to the continuation of the conflict."
The report noted that this "carefully calibrated support" would be provided to the Yemen Border Guard, Yemen Coast Guard, and Yemen Special Operations Forces units not directly engaged in the current conflict but rather involved in efforts against malign third party influences contributing to the ongoing conflict and crisis.
President Joe Biden determined that it is in the national interest of the US to waive in part the application of the prohibition in section 404(a) of the Child Soldier Prevention Act (CSPA) to allow for the provision of peacekeeping operations (PKO), IMET, and has certified that the government of Yemen is taking effective and continuing steps to address the problem of child soldiers.
It is in the US national interest to support efforts to bring about a negotiated political settlement led by the Office of the Special Envoy of the UN Secretary-General for Yemen, noted the report.
"A critical element of ending the conflict in Yemen is our counterterrorism campaign and efforts to counter Iranian arms smuggling to the Houthis. […] enhancing homeland security, while simultaneously moving toward the goal of ending the war in Yemen."
The Department of State assesses that an end to the conflict will be critical in ending the further deterioration of socio-economic and security conditions, ensuring long-term stability, and securing the space for restoring effective governance institutions capable of partnering with the United States and the international community in combating terrorism.
PKO funding may be used to support UN Special Envoy efforts, including the participation of Yemen's military leadership, to reach an agreement to end the Yemeni conflict and allow for the resumption of a peaceful, inclusive, and Yemeni-led political transition.
Meanwhile, Yemeni Vice President Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar announced the government's support of Washington's decision.
Ahmar welcomed this step, stressing that the support will help build the capabilities of the Yemeni military forces in combating terrorism, extremism, illicit smuggling, and ensuring freedom of navigation.
"These decisions will have a positive impact in countering the malign Iranian activity," he said in a statement on his Twitter account.
The United States affirmed its dissatisfaction with the Houthis intransigence and their lack of commitment to the initiatives seeking a ceasefire, calling for the implementation of a nationwide ceasefire and initiating inclusive political talks to establish peace and end the crisis.
In a recent press conference, Department spokesperson Ned Price announced that Washington was beyond fed up with Houthi attacks, stressing: "We are horrified by the repeated attacks on Marib."
"We strongly condemn the Houthi missile attack on a residential neighborhood in Marib on June 29th. It took civilian lives, including the life of a child. "
