November 21, 2022
Ambassador Steven Fagin Concludes Visit to Aden
Calls on Houthis to Return to the Negotiating Table and Release Embassy Staff
Ambassador Steven Fagin today concluded a visit to Aden, where he met with Prime Minister Maeen Abdulmalik Saeed, members of the Cabinet, and the Governor of the Central Bank of Aden.
The Ambassador expressed appreciation for the Yemeni government’s commitment to restoring peace and stability in Yemen. He recognized the positive steps by the government to advance reforms, improve services, and stabilize Yemen’s economy. He lamented that the Houthis’ unwillingness to compromise had led to the lapse in a truce that for six months had brought relief and tangible benefits to the people of Yemen.
The Ambassador expressed concern about the potential for renewed escalation undermining these gains, stressing that “The Yemeni people deserve better.” He noted the Houthi attacks on Yemen’s ports would only harm the Yemeni people by worsening fuel shortages and he called on the Houthis to halt their threats to international maritime commerce. He also affirmed the importance of representatives of the international community traveling to Yemen to provide support to the people.
The Ambassador called on the Houthis to return to the negotiating table, end the devastating war, and play a constructive role in achieving a comprehensive political settlement negotiated by Yemenis.
Before leaving Aden, the Ambassador called on the Houthis to release the 12 U.S. Embassy employees detained in Sana’a unharmed and “stop using them as pawns in the conflict.” He said, “My top priority is to bring our employees home to their families, where they belong.”
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