Muscat, 20 September 2021 (TDI): The Foreign Minister of Oman, Sayyid Badr Albusaidi met the Special Envoy of the United States (US) for Yemen, Tim Lenderking. The Special Envoy for Yemen is currently visiting the country.
During the meeting, the two officials reviewed and evaluated the most recent developments as well as renewed attempts for the cessation of war in Yemen.
The civil war in Yemen has been going on since late 2014 and is a multi-lateral conflict that has resulted in a colossal humanitarian crisis and instability in the country.
In addition, Sheikh Khalifa Alharthy, the Foreign Ministry’s Undersecretary for Diplomatic Affairs along with other officials from Omani Foreign Ministry attended the meeting. The United States Ambassador to the Sultanate of Oman, Leslie M. Tsou also attended the diplomatic engagement.
Yemen Crisis
Yemen has been facing internal divisions along with a military intervention. As a result, the country is facing an intractable military, political, as well as a humanitarian crisis.
The conflict in Yemen is between the globally recognized government and the Houthi insurgents. What’s more, because of the ongoing conflict the country is still one of the largest humanitarian crises in the world.
According to the estimates by the United Nations, more than half of the country’s population is unable to access basic commodities for survival. Likewise, the rate of poverty and hunger has been increasing every day.
US-Oman Ties
The US and Oman have had a long and cordial friendship. It can be traced back to 200 years. The two officially formalized their relationship after signing the “Treaty of Amity and Commerce” in 1833.
The Treaty of Amity and Commerce is the first bilateral treaty between the US and an Arab Gulf state. Moreover, Oman plays a significant role to help the US in realizing its wide-ranging goals pertaining to the region.
Oman due to its strategic location on a key naval chokepoint has immense significance. 30% of the world’s maritime oil shipments pass through this chokepoint.
