U.S. urges Yemen's Houthis to return to negotiations

U.S. Department of State urged on Tuesday Yemen’s Houthi rebel group to stop the advance towards Ma'rib, cease all military operations, and return to negotiations.

In a statement, State Department spokesman Ned Price called on Houthis to constructively participate in the United Nations-led political process and to engage seriously with the newly-appointed U.S. special envoy for Yemen Timothy Lenderking.

On Thursday, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that his country will not stand idly by while the Houthis attack Saudi Arabia.

In a tweet, Blinken said, “Saudi Arabia is an important security partner. We won’t stand by while the Houthis attack Saudi Arabia. We remain committed to bolstering Saudi Arabia’s defenses and finding a political settlement to the conflict in Yemen.”