The US lauded the Yemeni government's efforts to support peace and economic reforms, said the US ambassador to Yemen Steven Fagin.
Fagin visited Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik and other officials in Aden, during which they discussed the latest developments.
Fagin said the United States was encouraged by the significant reduction in military activity on all fronts in Yemen over the past year, asserting Washington's appreciation for the Yemeni government's support for a Yemeni-Yemeni peace process, under UN auspices, to bring about a just and comprehensive resolution to the conflict.
He explained that the opening of Sanaa Airport and the increased trade flow through Hodeidah Port had brought tangible benefits to the Yemeni people, denouncing Houthi attacks on ports and shipping, which deprived the Yemeni government of most of its revenues, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis.
He also called on the Houthis to foreswear such attacks and pursue a peaceful resolution to the conflict.
Fagin welcomed the announcement of the prisoner exchange, stressing the humanitarian imperative of continued engagement by the parties to reunite with their families all prisoners, detainees, arbitrarily detained persons, and the forcibly disappeared.
Houthis should release the current and former Yemeni employees of the US Embassy in Sanaa whom they have held without cause for over 15 months, said the diplomat.
During the meeting, Yemen's Prime Minister renewed his welcome to the recent agreement on the prisoner exchange, criticizing the status quo. He indicated that Houthis were leading an economic war equally dangerous as the military war.
Meanwhile, the ambassadors of the international Quartet on Yemen, which include the ambassadors of Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the US, and the UK, met last Monday and affirmed their countries' commitment to a comprehensive peace process under the auspices of the United Nations.
According to a joint statement distributed by the US embassy, the ambassadors of the four countries discussed the recent efforts to bolster Yemen's economy, including through external finance, asserting that efforts to boost Yemen's economy were fundamental to reducing humanitarian need.
They highlighted the contributions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates through deposits provided to the Central Bank of Yemen and progress in converting Special Drawing Rights.
The Quad called on the government to increase transparency over the use of resources, consult with the private sector on future economic measures, and continue advancing its reform agenda, especially in the electricity sector.
The ambassadors reviewed the adverse effects of the terrorist attacks and stressed that new measures introduced by the Government of Yemen to boost revenues were critical to sustaining government services.
The four asserted their willingness to continue supporting the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council led by Rashad al-Alimi, the government, and the governor of the Central Bank, to stabilize the economy further.
They condemned Houthi economic warfare, including threats to oil infrastructure, traders, and shipping companies, contributing to the alarming humanitarian situation in Yemen and undermining efforts toward peace.
In response, the Yemeni government welcomed the Quartet's statement and called on the international community to pressure the Houthi terrorist militia to deter its threats and violations.
The government asserted it was committed to working with the Quartet and the international community to improve the economic situation and the sustainability of the provision of government services.
It affirmed that all efforts would be made to achieve a comprehensive and just peace in Yemen under the auspices of the United Nations.
The UN envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, continues his efforts to renew and expand the armistice, leading to a negotiating path that achieves a lasting peace, which continues to collide with the intransigence of the Houthis who escalated hostilities in recent days on Maerib and Taiz fronts.
