Omani foreign minister, Blinken urge end to Yemen war

Cairo: Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid bin Hamad Al Busaidy and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken had agreed on the importance of intensifying efforts to stop military hostilities in Yemen as Washington is pushing to end a war of more than six years there.

In a phone call to Al Busaidy, Blinken expressed appreciation to Oman’s efforts in support of US envoy to Yemen Tim Landerking and UN envoy Martin Griffiths, Omani news agency ONA reported.

The two officials underlined the importance of stepping up efforts to halt war and military operations in Yemen to clear the way for a peaceful solution and the need to provide humanitarian aid to the Yemeni people, it added.

After President Joe Biden took office in January, the US campaigned for ending Yemen’s devastating war and appointed Landerking as its peace envoy there.

Yemen plunged into war after the Iran-aligned Al Houthi militia toppled the internationally recognised government there and overran parts of the impoverished country including the capital Sana’a.

In February, Al Houthis started a major offensive to seize Marib, the last government stronghold in north Yemen.

On Friday, the US blamed Al Houthis for the continued conflict, saying they “bear major responsibility for refusing to engage meaningfully on a ceasefire”.

The war has created the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the UN.