In the wake of news that the Trump Administration is preparing to engage in direct talks with the Houthi forces in Yemen, Al Jezeera spoke with Hassan El-Tayyab, FCNL’s Legislative Representative for Middle East Policy.
According to reports, the U.S. is pushing the the Saudi-coalition to engage in peace talks with Houti leaders in Oman in the hopes of brokering a cease-fire in Yemen.
“Right now, the [Trump] administration and the United states have a lot of leverage over this situation because of our military aid to both Saudi Arabia and the UAE’s war in Yemen,” said El-Tayyab.
The Saudi-led war and de-facto blockade of Yemen has plunged the country into the world’s largest humanitarian crisis. The United Nations estimates that 3 million Yemenis have been displaced by the war and the country’s economy is in ruins. Some 14 million people — half of Yemen’s population — are on the brink of starvation.
U.S. military involvement in the civil war in Yemen has included arms sales to Saudi Arabia and its allies, mid-air refueling of coalition aircraft, and targeting and logistical support.
