The Yemeni Houthi group said on Wednesday that it had refused to hold meetings with the UN envoy Martin Griffiths, revealing at the same time that it had contact with the United States via the Sultanate of Oman, while the Saudi-led coalition announced the docking of ships carrying fuel at Hodeidah port.
"We refused the meetings with the UN envoy, Martin Griffiths, because they only took place before his briefing to the Security Council," Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdul Salam said.
This came in statements made by Abd al-Salam to the Al-Masirah satellite, speaking on behalf of the group.
He explained that "the American position differs from one administration to another in terms of method, media consumption and issuance of statements, and in content we have not seen any change" from the new administration.
He revealed that the group was in contact with the Americans "through the Sultanate of Oman, which transmits messages between us and them."
There was no immediate comment from the United States, the United Nations and Saudi Arabia about the Houthi official's comments.
Offers and conditions
On Monday, Saudi Arabia announced an initiative to solve the Yemeni crisis, including a unilateral ceasefire, expressing hope that the Houthis would respond "to preserve Yemeni blood."
The initiative includes a comprehensive ceasefire under the supervision of the United Nations, and the deposit of taxes and customs revenues for ships and oil derivatives from the port of Hodeidah (western Yemen) at the Central Bank.
It also includes the opening of Sanaa International Airport to a number of direct regional and international flights, and the start of consultations between the various parties under the auspices of the United Nations.
Later, the Yemeni Foreign Ministry said in a statement that it welcomes the initiative, stressing that it is a test of the Houthis' desire for peace, and a test of the effectiveness of the international community calling for an end to the war.
On the other hand, the Houthi spokesperson wrote on Twitter, "Any positions or initiatives that do not notice that Yemen has been subjected to aggression and blockade for 6 years are neither serious nor new about them."
The Houthi group stressed that it will not agree to the ceasefire proposal unless the air and sea blockade is lifted.
Ships arrived
Two sources familiar with the matter said that the Saudi-led coalition allowed four fuel ships to dock on Wednesday in the Yemeni port of Hodeidah overlooking the Red Sea.
The US State Department said the free flow of fuel and basic goods into Yemen is critical to support the delivery of humanitarian aid.
The ministry confirmed that Washington welcomed the news of allowing 4 ships loaded with oil derivatives to enter the Yemeni port of Hodeidah.
She called on all parties to sit at the negotiating table for the sake of Yemen and its people.
She said, "Additional steps are needed, in particular an immediate end to the attack in Marib, and a comprehensive ceasefire."
However, the chief negotiator of the Houthis, Muhammad Abd al-Salam, said that "the arrival of oil derivatives, foodstuffs, medical supplies and basic materials is a humanitarian and legal entitlement for our Yemeni people, and we do not accept bartering them for any military or political conditions."
For about 7 years, Yemen has been witnessing an ongoing war between the pro-government forces backed by an Arab military alliance led by the Saudi neighbor, and the Iran-backed Houthis who control several governorates, including the capital, Sanaa.