US' Pompeo, Omani FM discuss Yemen

WASHINGTON

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah discussed the conflict in Yemen during a meeting Monday, said the State Department.

In a statement, spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Pompeo and bin Abdullah discussed an agreement brokered last month by Saudi Arabia between the Yemeni government and Southern Transition Council.

"The Secretary and the Minister agreed that only a political solution would bring an end to the conflict and ensure peace, prosperity and security in Yemen," said Ortagus.

Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when the Houthis overran much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led military coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.

Since then, tens of thousands of Yemenis, including numerous civilians, are believed to have been killed in the conflict, while another 14 million are at risk of starvation, according to the UN.

WASHINGTON

U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Omani Foreign Minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah discussed the conflict in Yemen during a meeting Monday, said the State Department.

In a statement, spokeswoman Morgan Ortagus said Pompeo and bin Abdullah discussed an agreement brokered last month by Saudi Arabia between the Yemeni government and Southern Transition Council.

"The Secretary and the Minister agreed that only a political solution would bring an end to the conflict and ensure peace, prosperity and security in Yemen," said Ortagus.

Since then, tens of thousands of Yemenis, including numerous civilians, are believed to have been killed in the conflict, while another 14 million are at risk of starvation, according to the UN.