US condemns deadly Houthi attack on Bahraini force

By Servet Gunerigok

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US on Tuesday "strongly" condemned a drone attack by the Houthi rebel group that killed two Bahraini servicemembers and injured many others along the border between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

"This unprovoked attack threatens the longest period of calm since the war in Yemen began," State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said at a news conference.

He said US government officials have been in touch with their Bahraini counterparts since news of the attack broke Monday.

Miller said the US stands with Bahrain, a country he called a longtime strategic partner of the US, and offered condolences to the families of the victims, the governments and people of Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

"We wish those injured in this unprovoked and unacceptable attack a speedy recovery and return to duty. We have worked tirelessly with our partners to de-escalate, secure truce and incentivize the parties to launch a Yemeni peace process," he added.

The attack coincides with Saudi efforts to bring peace to Yemen, as a Houthi delegation left the capital Riyad on Sept. 19 after five days of peace talks with Saudi officials.

Yemen’s civil war began in September 2014 when Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa. A military coalition led by Saudi Arabia entered the war in early 2015 to restore the Yemeni government to power.

The conflict has created one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world, with millions risking starvation.

Regional and UN efforts are taking place between the warring parties with the hope of reaching a comprehensive political solution to the years-long crisis.