WASHINGTON — The United States has called on the Houthi militia to stop cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia. In a press statement on Tuesday, the US Department of State also asked the Iran-backed militia to halt their advance on Marib and cease all military operations in Yemen and turn to negotiations. "The Houthis' assault on Marib is the action of a group not committed to peace or to ending the war afflicting the people of Yemen, the statement read. Referring to the plight of Yemenis in the face of atrocities committed by the Houthis, the statement added: "UNOCHA estimates about one million Yemenis have sought refuge in Marib since the beginning of the war to escape Houthi violence. Marib is controlled by the legitimate government of Yemen. "This assault will only increase the number of internally displaced persons and exacerbate the humanitarian crisis in Yemen, already home to the world's worst humanitarian catastrophe." Expressing doubts over the Houthis' intention for a peaceful solution to the Yemeni crisis, the US State Department said: "If the Houthis are serious about a negotiated political solution, they must cease all military advances and refrain from other destabilizing and potentially lethal actions, including cross-border attacks on Saudi Arabia." "They must commit to constructively participate in the UN-led political process and engage seriously in the diplomatic effort led by US Special Envoy for Yemen Tim Lenderking. The time to end this conflict is now. There is no military solution."
