UK foreign minister to discuss resurgence of Houthi violence on visit to Saudi Arabia

The Iran-backed rebels in Yemen have been accused of impeding aid deliveries

FILE - In this Aug. 1, 2019 file photo, a Houthi fighter holds a weapon during a gathering aimed at mobilizing more fighters for the Houthi movement, in Sanaa, Yemen. Houthi rebels in Yemen have blocked half of the United Nationsâ€™ aid delivery programs in the war-torn country â€” a strong-arm tactic to force the agency to give them greater control over the massive humanitarian campaign, along with a cut of billions of dollars in foreign assistance, according to aid officials and internal documents obtained by The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Hani Mohammed, File)

A Houthi fighter holds a weapon during a gathering aimed at mobilising more fighters for the rebel movement, in Sanaa, Yemen. AP

The National

Mar 05, 2020

Britain's Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab was in Saudi Arabia on Wednesday to discuss pushing ahead with the Yemen peace process amid a "recent surge in Houthi violence".

Mr Raab will also touch on the constraints of getting humanitarian aid to Yemenis during the meetings in Riyadh.

The Iran-backed Houthi rebels have been accused of impeding the flow of humanitarian assistance, with some agencies considering suspending aid deliveries if things don't change.

Securing aid for the people of Yemen and securing an end to hostilities there is the clear and shared ambition of 🇬🇧 and 🇴🇲. Discussed this and other regional challenges today with Minister Responsible for Foreign affairs HE Yousef bin Alawi @mofaOman pic.twitter.com/R8XVdRU8C2
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) March 2, 2020

A British Foreign Office spokesperson said Mr Raab held a number of "private meetings" with Saudi officials.

Mr Raab, who visited Oman on Monday and Turkey on Tuesday, will meet Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan, National Security Adviser Dr Musaad Al Aiban and Yemeni President Abdrabu Mansur Hadi.

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Discussions will also focus on measures to resolve the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, security and regional stability and the threat of climate change.

"Saudi Arabia is one of our closest trade partners and plays an important role in keeping Britain safe," Mr Raab said.

سعيد بزيارتي إلى السعودية

A great pleasure to be in Saudi Arabia today and to be met by HRH Prince Khalid bin Bandar, Saudi ambassador to 🇬🇧. Looking forward to discussing how 🇬🇧 can support 🇸🇦 deliver on its ambitious #Vision2030 programme of reform – including human rights. pic.twitter.com/wbTlpZzmhy
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) March 4, 2020

“As a valued partner, we have to work closely together to tackle the crisis in Yemen, terrorism and climate change, as well as pursuing reform and engaging on human rights issues.”

During his two-day visit, Mr Raab will also visit the Unesco World Heritage site of Diriyah, the historic city which has been transformed as part of a restoration project.

An honour to carry forward the UK’s historic friendship with Oman into a new era today at my first meeting with HM Sultan Haitham bin Tarik. From regional stability to tackling the Yemen crisis and supporting economic reform, the 🇬🇧 has an enduring commitment to 🇴🇲 pic.twitter.com/noFXApRFvH
— Dominic Raab (@DominicRaab) March 2, 2020