Omani Foreign Minister, Sayyed Badr Al Busaidi confirmed Saturday that his country discussed "the possibility of classifying the Yemeni Houthis as a terrorist group by the United States."
In statements during a summit in Bahrain, he indicated that this discussion took place with Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Schenker. “Yes, that was raised," Al-Busaidi said commenting on whether Schenker had raised this matter during his visit to Muscat.
Al-Busaidi said: “I don’t think there is a solution based on classifying or blockading one key player in that conflict and not bringing them to the negotiating table."
He added, "My question: is the decision going to resolve the Yemeni conflict given that this group is a key player? Or is it better to really support what the United Nations envoy is trying to do by inviting everyone including that group to the table?"
Two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters that the administration of US President Donald Trump last month threatened to blacklist the Houthi movement."
The United Nations is seeking to revive peace talks, stalled since late 2018, to end the war, which has been in stalemate for years, as the Houthis still control the capital, Sanaa, and most of the country's large urban centers, according to Reuters.
Aid workers have also raised concerns that Washington may designate the Houthis as a terrorist group. They said that this may prevent vital humanitarian aid from reaching Yemen, whose population needs more than 80 percent of its population, according to "Reuters".
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