Aden (South24) 

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On Wednesday, the United States (US) Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, said that the US is putting military pressure on the Houthis with its allies through Operation Prosperity Guardian, as well as with air strikes, to halt “Houthi attacks on ships.”

The assertion was made as part of Lenderking's response to a question asked by the Executive Director of the South24 Center for News and Studies, Farida Ahmed, during a virtual press briefing in which the US Envoy spoke about his recent tour of the region.

In response to Farida Ahmed asking Lenderking, “What are the next steps for the United States in light of the Houthi escalation?” the diplomat asserted that the ongoing military efforts by the US and its allies, along with the designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization, are designed to put additional pressure on the Houthis and deter them from their current path. 

"Nevertheless, I do think that ultimately, diplomatic solutions will have to be found. That’s why [it’s important to consult] with regional partners who have such a strong stake in a peaceful outcome to this conflict, such as Saudi Arabia and the Sultanate of Oman," he added.

Throughout the press briefing, Lenderking stressed the need to halt Houthi attacks - which he made clear are “acts of terrorism” - in part to protect the progress made in the political track of the crisis in Yemen.

Related: Southern forces repel largest Houthi attack in two years 

"The Houthis must immediately halt their attacks in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden, because they are undermining progress on the Yemen peace process and complicating the delivery of humanitarian assistance to Yemenis and others in need, including the Palestinian people," he said.

Lenderking stressed that the US commitment to the peace process in Yemen “remains unshakeable”, but added, "absent of a political settlement, we fear Yemen’s humanitarian and economic crises will only get worse."

Related: Southern forces repel new Houthi attack in Al-Dhalea 

Asked about the purpose of his visit to Saudi Arabia, Lenderking highlighted the Kingdom’s important role as a mediator in establishing a Yemeni roadmap to peace, saying, “What we want to see is a de-escalation of the tensions that we’re seeing not only in Yemen and the Red Sea but throughout the region.”