The Yemeni official attributed the Houthis’ new hardline behavior during talks to the US decision to reverse the designation of the Houthis as terrorists. “We floated their names during the talks, but the Houthis refused to discuss releasing them,” Fadhail said. Yemeni activists also expressed opposition to any peace deal with the Houthis that does not punish them for human right abuses. “By revoking Houthis designation unconditionally, the Biden administration made a huge mistake. It could have been used as leverage on the Houthis to deliver something in return — at least to allow engineers to empty the Safer.

Source: Libya Today February 05, 2021 21:00 UTC