Hoyer, Engel, Lowey, Schiff, and Deutch Write to the UAE and Saudis Expressing Concern for Humanitarian Impact of Hudaydah Assault

Statement

House Democratic Whip Steny H. Hoyer (MD) joined House Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Eliot Engel, House Appropriations Committee Ranking Member Nita Lowey, House Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Adam Schiff, and House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa Ranking Member Ted Deutch in sending a letter to the ambassadors from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia yesterday expressing their concern about the humanitarian impact of their nations' planned military assault on the Houthi rebel-controlled area of Hudaydah. Yemen's ongoing civil war has created a humanitarian crisis that has brought food insecurity to 18 million people, killed tens of thousands of civilians, and displaced more than 3 million Yemenis. The authors of the letter are urging the UAE and Saudi governments to prevent further catastrophe by ensuring that Hudaydah's critical port be allowed to continue operating and facilitating the transfer of much-needed humanitarian aid to reach those who need it.

"We understand, as of the date of this letter," the Members write, "that the Hudaydah port is operational and has not been further disrupted in significant ways by the ongoing fighting. However, according to humanitarian groups, restrictions to the flow of essential commercial goods remain in place through the coalition holding area, and the threat of an attack on the port is expected to affect the willingness of shipping companies to deliver commercial goods. We have received assessments that current plans would be inadequate to ensure that humanitarian and commercial flows will not be severely disrupted if fighting progresses toward Hudaydah's urban center, port, and major commercial arteries. Disruptions in these flows would result in increases in market price and, in some areas, shortages of critical items like food, fuel, and medicines"

"Yemen's civil war continues to be one of the world's most pressing humanitarian disasters and requires a broad, global response," Whip Hoyer stated. "As the United States and its allies continue to work toward a lasting political solution, there must be a general consensus among the coalition parties that steps not be taken that will needlessly exacerbate the already-dire humanitarian situation on the ground. I hope our United Arab Emirates and Saudi allies will take appropriate action to see that a very bad situation is not made worse."

"The humanitarian crisis in Yemen has put thousands of innocent lives at risk, and there is no military solution to this problem," said Ranking Member Engel. "There are real security concerns in Yemen, but all parties must now focus on a political path forward that will stop the violence, ease the suffering, and build a lasting peace in the region."

"It is critical that the UAE and Saudi governments do not exacerbate the humanitarian emergency in Yemen, which continues to be one of the worst crises in the world," said Ranking Member Lowey. "I urge our allies to find a political solution to this conflict and to ensure that humanitarian aid is able to reach millions of civilians in need."

"If an offensive by Saudi Arabia and the UAE further escalates the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, President Trump must make it clear that it will jeopardize the U.S. support that has helped enable the military campaign in Yemen," said Ranking Member Schiff.

"The conflict in Yemen has led to a devastating humanitarian crisis, with thousands of innocent civilians killed and tens of millions struggling to access food and basic supplies," said Ranking Member Deutch. "I understand the need for Yemen's neighbors to defend their territory from the Iranian-backed Houthi group, but all parties must take caution to protect civilians and their access to aid, and our allies must keep working to pursue a peaceful negotiated end to this conflict."