Biden to announce end to U.S. support for offensive military operations in Yemen

President Biden will announce on Thursday a halt to U.S. support for the Saudi Arabian-led military campaign in Yemen, a top White House official said.

White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters that Mr. Biden is announcing “an end to American support for offensive operations in Yemen” during a speech later in the day at the State Department.

Mr. Sullivan said the halt to offensive operations “does not extend” to U.S. military actions against the terrorist group Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula.

Mr. Biden also will name veteran diplomat Timothy Lenderking as his special envoy for Yemen, where a six-year-long conflict has produced a humanitarian crisis.

Mr. Sullivan said the president is directing the U.S. to “play a more active and engaged role in the diplomacy to bring an end to the conflict in Yemen.”