Tom Barrack framed regional talks and security alliances as the way forward in Yemen at a Doha forum, while pledging U.S. logistical backing for Saudi Arabia and questioning the value of American ground combat, Anadolu reported.
Speaking at the Global Security Forum in Doha, Qatar, Barrack said President Donald Trump supported Saudi Arabia. He argued that U.S. ground combat against the Houthis would achieve little. Barrack is also the U.S. ambassador to Türkiye and special presidential envoy for Syria and Iraq.
Barrack urged regional governments to build security alliances and pursue talks involving Saudi Arabia, the Houthis and regional mediators, according to Anadolu. He said Washington should help countries manage their security without taking responsibility for resolving every regional conflict.
His comments came amid renewed fighting. The Saudi-led coalition’s spokesman said Oct. 20 that its forces had intercepted a Houthi ballistic missile headed toward Riyadh. On Oct. 9, United Nations special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg described fighting on multiple fronts to the Security Council and cited attacks on civilian and energy facilities in Saudi Arabia.
Barrack also said the United States seeks a peaceful agreement with Iran. He pointed to past U.S. attempts to change governments in the Middle East as interventions that failed to achieve their aims.
