Rubio discusses Yemen crisis with UAE and Saudi leaders

Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has conducted separate discussions with top diplomats from the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, focusing on the worsening instability in Yemen and its implications for regional security. According to official US readouts, the back-to-back calls highlight Washington's continued diplomatic engagement with key Gulf partners as the decade-long conflict continues to threaten stability across the Middle East.

In his first call, Rubio spoke with UAE Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan regarding the fragile security environment in Yemen and broader issues affecting Middle Eastern stability. Later, he held a similar conversation with Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, exchanging views on ongoing tensions and shared security concerns. Both the UAE and Saudi Arabia remain central actors in addressing the conflict, particularly regarding threats to maritime security and trade routes.

The discussions arrive amid heightened volatility in the region, with US officials stressing the necessity of close coordination to manage tensions. Yemen has been embroiled in conflict for over ten years, involving fighting between Houthi forces and a Saudi-led coalition, resulting in what the United Nations describes as one of the world's most severe humanitarian crises. Despite intermittent diplomatic efforts and periods of reduced violence, persistent tensions continue to endanger key maritime corridors and obstruct a negotiated political settlement.

(Inputs from IANS)