US envoy to Yemen traveling this week to promote peace
Without yet specifying the dates or precise destinations, the American State Department announced that its envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, will travel to the Gulf region this week to promote peace. He will be in contact with officials from Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Oman, as well as representatives of the United Nations.
Mr. Lenderking “will emphasize the need to contain the Israel-Hamas conflict while maintaining the priority of the United States, [c’est-à-dire] political dialogue [entre les Yéménites] to end the war and place Yemen on the path to peace and stability”described the State Department in a press release. “Wider conflict in the Middle East serves neither U.S. interests nor those of our regional partners who support lasting peace in Yemen”adds the press release.
Houthi rebels, who control most of Yemen and are backed by Iran, have targeted ships linked to Israel and fired missiles in retaliation for the Israeli army’s war against Palestinian Hamas in Gaza since the deadly attack of October 7 perpetrated by the Islamist movement.
The Houthis seized a merchant ship linked to an Israeli businessman on November 19. On Sunday, Washington reported that a US destroyer shot down three drones while providing assistance to commercial ships under attack in the Red Sea from Yemen.
“Provocative and dangerous attacks” rebels “threaten nearly two years of progress toward ending the war in Yemen”US State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller told reporters.