WASHINGTON – The Biden administration lashed out at Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels on Friday for refusing to meet with a senior U.N.
official to discuss ending the country’s devastating conflict and speeding humanitarian relief to suffering civilians. The State Department said in a statement that the Houthis had “passed up a major opportunity” by rejecting a recent offer to speak with U.N.
special envoy Martin Griffiths in Oman. Griffiths had been traveling in the Middle East earlier this week and was accompanied for part of the time by U.S.
envoy Timothy Lenderking, other senior administration officials and members of Congress. The department said other parties to the conflict, including the internationally recognized government of