US Special Envoy for #Yemen Tim Lenderking:

"More work is needed to get the #Houthis to put down their guns... They remain focused on continuing their military assault on the city of #Marib. At present, this offensive is the single biggest threat to peace efforts"

Lenderking: " #Houthi obstruction of goods and aid has been particularly egregious, but they are not the only ones who have engaged in this behaviour."

Lenderking: "My sense is that the #Houthis welcome a United States role in this engagement, and I think that's because they look to us to help manage the #Saudis... but I also think that they recognize that we are a superpower..."

Lenderking: "We have seen thus far no real evidence that #Iran wants to support a constructive resolution to the conflict in #Yemen...we see more and more attacks on... Saudi Arabia... and potentially other countries..."

Lenderking: "I think we would welcome #Iran playing a constructive role if they are willing to do so. We have not seen any indication of that...and it leads many people to conclude that the #Houthis believe there is a military solution"

Lenderking: "What we see in some of the constructive engagement [on a ceasefire] is not matched by [Houthi] behaviour on the ground...the #Houthis bear responsibility for obstruction of humanitarian assistance, as well..."

Lenderking: "The Human Rights record in #Houthi-controlled areas is very poor."

Lenderking: "[the #Saudis] are indeed open to negotiations with the #Houthis... but we have not yet seen the Houthi commitment to a ceasefire"

Lenderking: "It's been, frankly, very difficult to intercept ships [carrying Iranian arms]...the cross-border attacks are constant...there's been a disturbing rise in attacks...we need to be able to ensure that we're protecting American citizens as well to work in Saudi Arabia."

Lenderking: "The #Houthis have shown utter determination and commitment to capturing #Marib...I hope we can convince them otherwise...US policy at this point is to press for a united and undivided... #Yemen... we're very concerned by what we see after [Houthi takeover]..."

Lenderking: "The #Houthis themselves have conveyed...that they only maintain a relationship with Iran because nobody else helps them...if the Houthis want to continue a relationship with a terrorist state like #Iran, then that going to bode extremely poorly"