US Warns Yemen Ceasefire Extension Is In Trouble

Both US, Saudis support plan to extend the ceasefire

Two solid months of very successful ceasefire in Yemen are coming to a close, and while seemingly everyone has spoken favorably of more extensions, US officials warn the plan is “in trouble.”

It is unclear what the hold up is, with the US only saying the talks were at an “impasse.” The Houthis were said before to want easier aid shipment access, and that’s likely still a thing to work out.

Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met Monday with Saudi FM Faisal bin Farhan, discussing the Yemen War and the possibility of further extensions to the ceasefire. Blinken “thanked” the Saudis for efforts to extend the deal.

But with the end of the ceasefire just days away, there needs to be a quick scramble to get things finalized. The current ceasefire is by far the most successful such effort of the entire Yemen War, but could really stand an extension to try to make good on starting a peace process.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.