WASHINGTON – The United States yesterday condemned an attack by Yemen’s Huthis on Saudi Arabia oil infrastructure, saying the rebels needed to show seriousness about US-backed peace efforts.
“We condemn the egregious Huthi drone and missile attack against Saudi Aramco facilities,” said State Department spokesman Ned Price.
“The frequency of Huthi attacks on Saudi Arabia – attacks like these – is not the action of a group that is serious about peace.
“The Huthis, in our view and our allies and partners’ views, have to demonstrate their willingness to engage in a political process. They need to, quite simply, stop attacking and start negotiating.”
The Iranian-supported Huthis, who have been under bombardment in a devastating offensive by Saudi Arabia, claimed an attack on facilities of the oil giant that also sent shrapnel falling close to a residential compound for oil workers.
Saudi Arabia also intercepted a flurry of drones and responded by pounding the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
President Joe Biden has put a priority on ending the six-year conflict, which has fuelled what the United Nations calls the world’s most dire humanitarian situation, appointing an envoy, Tim Lenderking, to try to broker peace.
The administration also removed the Huthis from a list of designated terrorist groups in response to complaints from aid groups that the US measures put their operations at risk. – AFP, March 9, 2021
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