The United States strongly condemned Saturday's attack by the Houthi militias on a humanitarian aid ship for the United Arab Emirates near the port city of Aden. 

"We take these threats seriously," US State Department Spokesperson John Kirby said in a press statement last night.

"The United States remains committed to upholding freedom of navigation through the Bab El-Mandeb," he reaffirmed. 

Kirby called on the Houthis to immediately end attacks against all vessels, stressing that "these provocative actions risk exacerbating the current conflict and narrow the prospects for a peaceful settlement".

In order to resolve the conflict in Yemen, Kirby urged the Houthis "to demonstrate their commitment to a peaceful solution by taking steps to deescalate by adhering to a cessation of hostilities without preconditions". The US reiterated its call for all parties to return to the UN-led negotiations.

Source: MENA