Lenderking’s Mideast Stopover Looks to Cease Marib Hostilities, Promote Humanitarian Efforts

Arab World

April 30th, 7:40am

Washington, London - Muath Alamri and Badr al-Qahtani

The US Secretary of State and US special envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking in Washington, US. (US State Department)

A Middle East stopover by the UN and US special envoys for Yemen is taking place this week against a backdrop of concerted international community mediation efforts to end the military escalation in the war-torn country’s oil-rich governorate of Marib. Marking the American diplomat’s fifth official visit to the region, the trip focuses on bringing hostilities in Marib to an end and promoting humanitarian relief efforts in Yemen, several well-informed sources told Asharq Al-Awsat. Major regional and international peacemaking efforts are being met by Iran-backed Houthi militias carrying out military escalation, whether it be rocket or drone attacks against Marib or neighboring Saudi Arabia, revealed Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed bin Mubarak. “We hope that these militias will listen to the voice of reason and take sides in the interest of Yemen, especially in light of recent calls and positive messages from the Yemeni government and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia,” he told Asharq Al-Awsat. As for Tim Lenderking’s visit, the US State Department confirmed in a Thursday statement that he would travel to Saudi Arabia and Oman for talks with government officials about efforts to end Yemen’s war. Lenderking’s “discussions will focus on ensuring the regular and unimpeded delivery of commodities and humanitarian assistance throughout Yemen, promoting a lasting ceasefire and transitioning the parties to a political process,” the statement said. It added that he “will build on the international consensus to halt the Houthi offensive on Marib, which only worsens the humanitarian crisis threatening the Yemeni people.” “Houthis must realize that they haven’t won Marib and that the patience of the international community and the US is running out,” a Western official told Asharq Al-Awsat. Moreover, Asharq Al-Awsat learned that the West was leaning towards allowing oil to enter the battle-weary country through the Red Sea port of Hodeidah. In a recent State Department briefing, Lenderking showed great reservation towards using terms like “siege” when discussing the flow of imports and humanitarian assistance through Hodeidah port. According to a State Department spokesperson, Lenderking pointed out that ships were unloading at the port and that there was a need for more supplies. “The envoy continues to bring up the issue at hand, but we must also realize that the humanitarian crisis can’t be resolved without first finding a permanent solution to the conflict. All parties bear responsibility,” they told Asharq Al-Awsat.

from Asharq AL-awsat https://english.aawsat.com/home/article/2947491/lenderking%E2%80%99s-mideast-stopover-looks-cease-marib-hostilities-promote