In push for Yemen aid, US warned Saudis of threats in Congress
The United States has warned Saudi Arabia that concern in Congress over the humanitarian situation in Yemen could constrain US assistance, as it pushed Riyadh to allow greater access for humanitarian aid, a US official said on Friday.
The Saudi-led military coalition fighting the Iran-aligned armed Houthi movement in Yemen's civil war started a blockade of ports a month ago after Saudi Arabia intercepted a missile fired toward its capital Riyadh from Yemen.
Although the blockade later eased, Yemen's situation has remained dire. About 8 million people are on the brink of famine with outbreaks of cholera and diphtheria.
That has led the White House to take the rare step of issuing two written statements in a week on Yemen, including one on Friday calling on the Saudi-led coalition to help facilitate the free flow of humanitarian aid and critical goods, like fuel.
