As tensions continue in the Red Sea following Houthi attacks on commercial cargo ships, the US special envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, reiterated that the United States will continue to strike Houthi targets and sites in Yemen.
He said in an interview with Al Arabiya.net/ English, today, Friday: “We will continue to strike the Houthis until they stop their attacks in the Red Sea.”

He also considered that the Houthi group is militarizing the Red Sea, and does not serve the Palestinians, but rather obstructs ceasefire efforts in the Gaza Strip, and creates more problems.

In addition, he saw that the group had placed itself in hostility with many countries that lined up to condemn their reckless attacks.

He called on the Houthis to stop their naval attacks and return to the peace process in Yemen. He said: "Once the Houthis stop their attacks, the United States can end the military strikes and remove them from the terrorist list."

Lenderking also praised the "incredible work" done by Saudi Arabia to mediate between the Houthis and the Yemeni government in order to move towards peace. However, he stressed that this process has now been halted and the responsibility lies with the Houthis.
As for the Iranian role, he stressed that Tehran is helping the Houthis and facilitating their attacks on ships.

He also made it clear that the United States is seeking by all possible means to reduce the escalation in the Red Sea and return to the peace process in Yemen.

Regarding the American decision to reclassify the Houthis as a terrorist group, Lenderking indicated that the decision goes into effect today, Friday, adding that it will affect the Houthis’ ability to finance attacks in the Red Sea.

Since the outbreak of the war in Gaza on October 7th, the Houthis have launched more than 40 attacks with drones and missiles on commercial ships, under the pretext that they are heading to Israel, or that they are owned by Israeli parties.

They also tried to target American ships, which prompted the United States, in conjunction with Britain, to repeatedly strike dozens of sites in Yemen.