US Officials Meet Houthis In Oman Over Red Sea Tensions

MUSCAT, Sept 16: US officials met representatives of Yemen’s Houthis at the US Embassy in Muscat over the weekend to discuss tensions in the Red Sea, according to Axios and Reuters reports citing sources familiar with the talks.

The meeting was facilitated with the help of Oman, a longtime regional mediator. According to sources cited by Axios, the discussions focused on maintaining the ceasefire between Washington and the Houthis and keeping the Bab al-Mandab Strait open. Reuters reported that five sources confirmed the previously undisclosed meeting, with three saying it was held at the US Embassy.

The meeting comes amid renewed fighting in Yemen and heightened tensions around Red Sea shipping. The Houthis have recently expanded their control along Yemen’s Red Sea coast, while attacks and disruptions have raised concerns over maritime security and freedom of navigation.

The US State Department did not confirm the meeting when asked, but said Washington’s core interests include safeguarding freedom of navigation in the Red Sea and preventing the export of terrorism from the region.