U.S. National Security Adviser Visits UAE As Pressure Mounts To End Yemen War

United States National Security Adviser John Bolton held talks with the crown prince of Abu Dhabi, amid growing international calls for a coalition of Sunni Gulf countries to end its military operations in Yemen. The United Arab Emirates, along with Saudi Arabia, has for three-and-a-half years been spearheading a campaign against Iranian-sponsored Shiite Houthis that remain in control of the Yemeni capital Sanaa. Washington last week announced that it was ending refueling support for the coalition, which has been accused of indiscriminately bombing civilian areas. This comes as fighting intensifies in the strategic port city of Hodeida, the point of entry for eighty percent of Yemen’s imports. At least 150 fighters and civilians were killed in Hodeida between Sunday and Monday, as pro-government troops continue to made inroads against the rebels. Meanwhile, the U.S., Britain and France are all pushing for an immediate cease-fire and a return to long-stalled peace negotiations. According to the United Nations, some 14 million Yemenis are on the brink of starvation.