'This war has to end' — Biden halts U.S. support for offensive military operations in Yemen

WASHINGTON – President Joe Biden announced on Thursday the end of U.S. support for offensive operations in Yemen and named a new envoy to oversee the nation’s diplomatic mission to end the civil war there, part of a broader foreign policy address highlighting greater U.S. engagement in the world.

„This war has to end,“ Biden said during his first address on foreign policy as president. „We are ending all American support for offensive operations in the war in Yemen including relevant arms sales.“

„At the same time, Saudi Arabia faces missile attacks and UAV strikes and other threats from Iranian supplied forces in multiple countries,“ Biden said. „We are going to continue to help Saudi Arabia defend its sovereignty and its territorial integrity and its people.“

The president tapped Tim Lenderking, deputy assistant secretary of State for Iran, Iraq, and regional multilateral affairs, to oversee the U.S. diplomatic mission to end the war in Yemen.

„I have asked my Middle East team to ensure our support for the United Nations‘ initiative to impose a ceasefire, open humanitarian channels and restore long-dormant peace talks,“ Biden said.

„Tim’s diplomacy will be bolstered by USAID working to ensure humanitarian aid is reaching the Yemeni people who are suffering an unendurable devastation,“ Biden said.