Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, what diplomatic steps he is taking in partnership with UN Security Council partners to halt the Houthi offensive in Marib, Yemen.

We strongly condemn the renewed Houthi offensive on Marib. The fighting has already displaced thousands of civilians, and many more are at risk. On 18 February, at the UN Security Council, the UK called for increased international pressure on the Houthis to stop the Ma'rib offensive. Subsequently, the UK brought forward a Security Council resolution, which further condemns the Houthi offensive. The UK fully supports UN Special Envoy Martin Griffiths' efforts to secure a lasting political settlement to the conflict, and we continue to urge the Houthis to avoid further escalation and engage constructively with the Special Envoy. Minister Cleverly spoke with Special Envoy Griffiths on 1 March to discuss how the UK can best support the UN-led peace process.