Statement by President Biden on the Extension of the UN-Mediated Truce in Yemen

I welcome today’s announcement of an extension of the truce in the Yemen conflict.  This truce, now going on five months, has brought a period of unprecedented calm in Yemen, saving thousands of lives and bringing tangible relief for countless Yemenis.  I want to recognize the hard work of my Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking, who – working hand in hand with UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg – played a major role in this achievement.

Extending the truce in Yemen and reaching an ultimate resolution to the conflict was also a main topic of discussion during my recent visit to Saudi Arabia.  The King and Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia confirmed to me their full commitment to extending the truce. They and their team demonstrated that commitment over the course of discussions in recent weeks.  I thank them for that.

Oman also played a central role in securing this extension of the truce, and we’re grateful for the role played by Sultan Haytham as a mediator and for his team as an interlocutor between all the parties to the conflict.  My Secretary of State, Tony Blinken, has also helped advance the truce, including calls this weekend with his Omani counterpart, and with the President of the Yemeni Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad Alimi.  We are grateful for their cooperation and commitment to the truce process.

As I stated last time the truce was extended, however, I recognize that a truce, while an important step and essential to saving lives, is not enough in the long run.  Thus, we urge the Yemeni parties to seize this opportunity to work constructively under UN auspices to reach an inclusive, comprehensive agreement that includes steps to improve freedom of movement and expanded salary payments and that paves the way for a durable, Yemeni-led resolution to the conflict.  

It is now critical that all parties uphold their commitments under the UN-brokered truce and work towards peace.  The Yemeni Government must continue to support flights to more destinations to and from Sana’a, and to facilitate the flow of goods thorough Hudaydah port, as agreed under the terms of the truce.  Advancing the peace process will require courage and dedication from all sides.  The United States will remain committed and engaged in efforts to advance peace in Yemen and to bring relief to the Yemeni people.

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