US Envoy Says Yemen's Involvement in Israel-Hamas War Is His "Worst Fear"
The US Special Envoy to Yemen said on Tuesday that he is afraid the crisis in Gaza is threatening progress towards peace between the Houthis and the government, saying drawing Yemen into the conflict between Israel and Hamas is his "worst fear". Speaking at the US Institute of Peace during a discussion on the offloading of the FSO Safer, Tim Lenderking referenced the Houthis' launching of several drones and missiles toward Israel last Friday, calling it "unfortunate". A US warship operating in the Red Sea intercepted the drones and missiles believed to have been launched by the Iran-backed group towards targets in Israel. "I am afraid of what will happen if the Gaza conflict grinds on and we see more inflammation in the region and pressure on actors across the spectrum to get involved," Mr Lenderking said. A UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022 resulted in a reduction in fighting and gave momentum to peace talks.
The Yemeni government said it coordinates with international, national organizations and humanitarian partners to provide relief materials and necessary assistance for reopening roads and managing stormwater. During a Tuesday meeting in Aden, the Yemeni government discussed the latest developments and the aftermath of the cyclone Tej, which struck eastern Yemeni provinces, resulting in loss of life and property damage. Prime Minister Muaeen Abdulmalik stated that the government is dedicated to fulfilling its responsibilities in assisting disaster-stricken individuals. The cyclone arrived in Yemen on Monday.
On Tuesday, the Yemeni government renewed its adherence to the option of just peace and serious engagement with all initiatives and efforts made within the framework of the three references agreed upon locally and supported regionally and internationally. The three references are the Gulf Initiative, the outcomes of Yemen's National Dialogue Conference, and the relevant UN resolutions. The state-run Saba News Agency reported that Prime Minister Muaeen Abdulmalik discussed developments in the political process in light of the continued efforts of Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman to renew the truce and launch a comprehensive political process. The Prime Minister accused the Houthi group of practicing more intransigence in light of the international efforts to revive the Yemeni peace process. Since last year, Oman and Saudi Arabia have been attempting to push Yemen's warring sides to agree to an agreement to end the 9-year-old conflict.
Gaza Health Department announced Tuesday the complete collapse of the health system in the Strip's hospitals due to the ongoing Israeli airstrikes since October 7. Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, said in a press conference that the open hospitals in the Strip do not mean they are still providing service to the wounded who keep arriving. He pointed out that the number of civilian deaths in Gaza had risen to 5,791, including 2,360 children and 1,292 women, while the number of wounded rose to 16,297.
