The United States has reaffirmed its support for Yemen in confronting Houthi attacks, highlighting maritime security and counterterrorism as priorities in the country, as renewed clashes between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis escalate.
US Mission to Yemen Chargé d'Affaires Neil Hop met Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council Chairman Rashad al-Alimi for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reportedly on Sunday. In a statement on X, the US Mission said Hop outlined US President Donald Trump's policy priorities and affirmed support for partnerships with Yemen on maritime security and counterterrorism.
The US Mission to Yemen described the Houthi attacks as 'Iran-backed Houthi aggression'.
The meeting came amid a sharp escalation in fighting between Yemeni government forces and the Houthis, reaching levels not seen since a UN-brokered truce took effect in 2022.
Official Yemeni media reported at least seven civilians killed in a Houthi attack on the strategic Mokha port and nearby residential areas.
At least seven civilians were killed and around 35 others were injured in a Houthi attack on the strategic Mokha port near the Bab al-Mandab Strait and nearby residential areas, according to official Yemeni media. Yemeni government forces said they downed 11 Houthi drones involved in the attack and destroyed a booby-trapped boat that attempted to strike the port.
Fighting has periodically intensified along several Yemeni fronts since last month, leaving dozens of people dead and wounded on both sides.
