The US envoy to Yemen, Timothy Lenderking, arrived in Riyadh today, Wednesday.
While the Saudi authorities affirmed their keenness to achieve peace in Yemen, a UN report revealed that Hodeidah Governorate had lost 2,900 civilians during the 6-year war.
On Wednesday, Lenderking met with Yemeni Foreign Minister Ahmed Awad bin Mubarak, and they discussed the situation on the ground and developments in efforts to bring peace.
The Yemeni Foreign Minister stressed that preparing for peace requires the Houthis to abandon violence and respect the lives of people, referring to what he described as Houthi crimes and violations, at a time when the international community is making efforts to cease fire and alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
For his part, the US envoy stressed the need to stop the military operations in Marib, in order to advance towards a political solution, end the war and address the consequences of the humanitarian crisis in Yemen.
It is noteworthy that the US envoy held meetings in Amman earlier, as part of efforts to resolve the Yemeni crisis peacefully.
Meanwhile, the Saudi Press Agency reported that the Saudi Crown Prince, Prince Muhammad bin Salman, discussed with the Yemeni President, Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi, during a phone call the developments of the situation in Yemen, and reached a comprehensive political solution.
According to the agency, the Yemeni president expressed his support for the Saudi initiative aimed at resolving the Yemeni crisis.
The Saudi Minister of Information said today, Wednesday, that ending the crisis in Yemen is a priority for the Kingdom.
At the same time, the Saudi Council of Ministers stressed that the Kingdom will take the necessary and deterrent measures to protect its national capabilities and gains, and stop the Houthi attacks.
On the other hand, the Houthi group questioned the feasibility of the Saudi initiative, and refused to barter humanitarian needs for any military or political exchange.
Omani efforts
For its part, the Sultanate of Oman affirmed that it is working closely with all parties to conclude a comprehensive political settlement in Yemen.
The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Antonio Guterres, said, "The Sultanate of Oman has over the years played an important role in building bridges of peace in the region, including Yemen."
"I am particularly grateful to His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tariq Al Said for his constructive and essential support to my Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths," he added.
In the same context, the United Nations announced, on Wednesday, that Hodeidah Governorate has witnessed the death of 2,900 civilians since the start of the war more than 6 years ago.
This came in a report issued by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, which it published on its website.