Trump ally reiterates US support for Arab coalition in Yemen

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo has reiterated the administration’s support for the Saudi-led Arab coalition fighting in Yemen.

Pompeo made the remarks during a meeting with the UN envoy to Yemen, Martin Griffiths, in Washington on Friday, deputy spokesperson Robert Palladino said in a statement.

Palladina explained that Pompeo discussed with Griffiths efforts to implement the Sweden agreements, particularly the redeployment in Hudaydah, the exchange of prisoners and the next steps in the political process.

Pompeo also expressed concern about the opposition Houthis’ “deliberate delay to obstruct progress” in implementing the Stockholm agreement, stressing on the need for the parties to honour the commitments they made in Sweden and to continue working to advance the political process”, Palladino added.

Last week, US Ambassador to Yemen, Matthew Toler, made similar statements in which he stressed that the “Houthis are obstructing the implementation of the redeployment plan in Hudaydah and the Stockholm Agreement”.

READ: Senate approves plan to end US support for Saudi strikes in Yemen

The US positions regarding the Yemeni issue came ahead Pompeo’s visit to the region scheduled for tomorrow which would includes stops in Kuwait, Lebanon and Israel.

“The support of allied efforts in Yemen is crucial to prevent Iran from extending its authoritarian rule from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea and turning Yemen into a puppet state,” Pompeo said on Twitter.

The support of allied efforts in #Yemen is crucial to prevent Iran from extending its authoritarian rule from Tehran to the Mediterranean Sea and turning Yemen into a puppet state. pic.twitter.com/ShxHvBHecK

— Secretary Pompeo (@SecPompeo) March 15, 2019

This came days after the Republican-led Senate approved a resolution seeking to end US support for the Saudi Arabia-led coalition in the war in Yemen, in a rebuke of President Donald Trump’s policy toward the kingdom. The resolution seeks to end any US military involvement in the conflict, including providing targeting support for Saudi air strikes, without authorisation from Congress.