US officials met Houthi representatives at the US embassy in Oman, where the Houthis pledged not to attack US or Israeli vessels near the Bab al‑Mandab strait. The talks come amid a Houthi-declared blockade targeting Saudi shipping and renewed fighting across Yemen. Saudi Arabia reported a deadly incident in Taif and has sought increased US military support, while both sides continue strikes and clashes in multiple provinces.
US Holds Direct Talks With Houthi Representatives In Oman; Houthis Pledge Not To Target Ships Near Bab al‑Mandab
FILE PHOTO - An Armed Houthi carries a gun during a pro Palestine protest in Sana'a. (is associated with: «US delegation held talks with Houthis in Oman, sources say») Osamah Yahya/dpa
US government representatives held direct talks with Houthi delegates at the US embassy in Oman, diplomatic sources in Riyadh told dpa. According to the sources, the Houthi representatives gave assurances they would refrain from attacking US or Israeli vessels operating in waters around the Bab al‑Mandab strait, the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden.
Context and Maritime Tensions
The Houthi movement had earlier declared a "blockade" aimed at Saudi shipping and has since attacked several Saudi vessels or forced them to change course. The declaration and follow-up incidents have heightened regional tensions and disrupted commercial navigation in a strategically important corridor.
Attacks and Casualties
Saudi authorities reported renewed attacks on territory inside the kingdom since fighting flared again between the Houthis and the Saudi-backed internationally recognized government in Yemen. In one incident in Taif — roughly 100 kilometres from the holy city of Mecca — an alleged Houthi strike killed one person and injured two others, and caused damage to buildings and vehicles, the Saudi Civil Defence Authority said.
Military and Diplomatic Responses
Diplomatic sources in Riyadh said Saudi leaders have pressed Washington for greater military support to counter the cross-border attacks. US representatives also briefed Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman on the Oman discussions, the sources added.
Hostilities Inside Yemen
The Houthis reported that Saudi fighter jets continued to strike targets inside Yemen. Houthi broadcaster Al-Masirah said a strike on a radio mast in Taiz province injured two people. Yemeni government officials also reported clashes and exchanges of fire in several governorates, including Marib, Al-Jawf and Hajjah.
Human cost: Civilians on both sides have repeatedly suffered during Yemen's more than decade-long conflict, with deaths, injuries and infrastructure damage reported across the region.
The talks in Oman — and the Houthi pledge regarding commercial and military shipping — are a notable diplomatic development, but violence and strikes continue across Yemen and nearby Saudi territory, underscoring the fragility of the situation.
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