US condemns attempted attacks on Saudi city

The United States has condemned the attempted attacks of Yemen’s Houthi militias on the southern Saudi city of Jazan.

The attack was condemned in a statement signed by the State Department spokesman Ned Price on Friday April 16, 2021.

“The United States strongly condemns the Houthi complex attacks against Saudi Arabia this week, including the most recent attack in Jazan, which threatened civilian infrastructure,” the statement reads.

It adds, “These actions by the Houthis perpetuate the conflict in Yemen, now going into its seventh year. As US Special Envoy Tim Lenderking and UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths work side-by-side to promote UN-led peace efforts, the Houthis’ actions are prolonging the suffering of the Yemeni people and jeopardizing these efforts at a moment when there is a commitment from the international community to end the conflict now.”

Price called on all parties to agree to a comprehensive, nationwide ceasefire, and to engage in negotiations towards an inclusive UN-mediated political agreement.

The State Department said in a statement that Lenderking returned from travel to Germany and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

“In Berlin, he met with representatives from the UN Security Council permanent member states, as well as Germany, Kuwait, Sweden, and the EU to discuss the importance of reaching a lasting solution to the conflict and taking action to mitigate the humanitarian and economic crisis,” it says.

“These next steps include ending the Houthi assault on Marib, facilitating UN inspection and repair of the SAFER oil tanker, and supporting the Republic of Yemen Government’s efforts to stabilize the Yemeni economy and ease the humanitarian crisis.”

The statement maintains that German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Director General for Near and Middle East Dr. Philipp Ackermann expressed Germany’s full support of the UN-led peace efforts in a joint meeting with Lenderking. The meeting was attended by US Chargé d’Affaires Robin Quinville and Griffiths.

In the UAE, Lenderking met with Foreign Ministry officials to discuss the importance of full implementation of the Riyadh Agreement and a united Yemeni government.

“Lenderking and Griffiths continue to work side-by-side to encourage the swift delivery of fuel into Yemen and re-initiate political talks with the support of the Government of Oman. We need all parties to commit seriously and negotiate in good faith. People are suffering,” concludes the statement.