The US Special Envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, reiterated the United States’ commitment to targeting Houthi positions in Yemen amid ongoing tensions in the Red Sea due to Houthi attacks on commercial shipping vessels.
In an interview with Al Arabiya English, Lenderking stated that his country will continue to target the Houthis until they cease their attacks on the Red Sea.
Lenderking accused the Houthi group of militarizing the Red Sea and hindering efforts to achieve a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, thereby exacerbating the situation.
He noted that the group has positioned itself in opposition to numerous countries that have condemned their reckless attacks.
The envoy called on the Houthis to halt their maritime attacks and re-engage in Yemen’s peace process, emphasizing that US military strikes could end, and the group could be removed from the terrorism list once their attacks cease.
Lenderking praised Saudi Arabia’s “incredible work” in mediating between the Houthis and the Yemeni government towards peace but stated that the process is currently stalled due to Houthi actions.
He also highlighted Iran’s role in assisting the Houthis and facilitating their attacks on ships.
The US is striving to de-escalate tensions in the Red Sea and return to the peace process in Yemen.
Lenderking also mentioned the US decision to re-designate the Houthis as a terrorist group, which takes effect today, impacting the group’s ability to finance Red Sea attacks.
Since the outbreak of war in Gaza on October 7, the Houthis have launched over 40 drone and missile attacks on commercial ships, alleging their destination to Israel or Israeli ownership. They also attempted to target American ships, prompting the U.S., along with the UK, to repeatedly strike multiple sites in Yemen.
