Engel, Hoyer, Lowey, Deutch Statement on Hodeida

Statement

Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs; Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer; Representative Nita Lowey, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Appropriations; and Ted Deutch, Ranking Member of the Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa, today released the following statement:

"We are closely monitoring the military offensive at Hodeida, Yemen and are alarmed at the humanitarian situation on the ground. With 350,000 civilians caught in the crossfire, we are specifically concerned that an assault on the city of Hodeida will exacerbate the already horrendous conditions facing the people of Yemen. We urge all parties to the conflict to exercise abundant caution to minimize civilian casualties and to reconsider execution of this assault.

"We recognize the legitimate security concerns of the Saudi and Emirati-led coalition. The Iranian-backed Houthis continue to threaten stability and security in the Gulf. There is no military solution to this conflict: the parties must return to the negotiating table, as a political solution is the only path forward. We strongly support UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths and his plan to bring an end to the violence.

"In the meantime, we urge the Administration to work with our allies to pursue a political agreement and, in the immediate term, mitigate the suffering of the Yemeni people. At a minimum, humanitarian and commercial access must continue at the Port of Hodeida. It is also essential that contingency plans be in place with ample prepositioned humanitarian supplies. We look forward to learning more about our allies' plans to maintain access for humanitarian and commercial goods through Hodeida."