The Washington Center for Yemeni Studies (WCYS) organized a briefing at the U.S. Congress on June 26 that addressed the key priorities raised by Yemeni Americans during the annual Yemen Advocacy Day, the Houthi Human Rights Accountability Act (H.R. 1848 / S. 3451), the Friends of Yemen Caucus, and the trajectory of U.S. policy toward Yemen.
The briefing featured Ambassador Marwan Noman, Senior Fellow at the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies and former Deputy Permanent Representative of Yemen to the United Nations, and Fatima Alasrar, with representatives from dozens of congressional offices in attendance.
Ambassador Marwan Noman opened the briefing by highlighting the importance of the annual Yemen Advocacy Day and the role played by the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies in organizing this annual event and preparing its various components, enabling Yemeni Americans to communicate their priorities and concerns directly and systematically to U.S. decision-makers.
Researcher Fatima Alasrar addressed the Yemeni issue and offered an analysis of the nature of the conflict, the reasons behind its prolongation, and the factors that have contributed to the continuation of the war. She noted that smuggling operations through the Red Sea represent one of the main factors prolonging the conflict by supplying militias with weapons and components for drones, enabling them to continue fighting and threaten areas in Yemen, neighboring countries, and maritime navigation.
At the conclusion of the briefing, Alasrar answered questions from attendees representing congressional offices in a discussion that covered developments in the Yemeni scene, the repercussions of the conflict on regional security and maritime routes, and the importance of developing a more effective U.S. approach to addressing the Yemeni crisis.
The briefing was among the key activities organized by the Washington Center for Yemeni Studies during the past month of June and came as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the presence of Yemeni issues within U.S. decision-making circles and expand channels of communication between the Yemeni American community, members of Congress, experts, and policymakers.
The center had previously organized the fourth annual Yemen Advocacy Day in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, with the aim of highlighting key Yemeni issues and strengthening engagement with U.S. decision-makers.
In welcoming remarks to participants, WCYS President Abdulsamad Elfgeeh said Yemeni Americans play an important role in strengthening relations between the United States and Yemen, advocating for issues related to democracy, good governance, and human rights, and supporting efforts aimed at achieving security and stability in Yemen.
During their meetings with a number of members of the Senate and House of Representatives, participants discussed issues related to immigration law and the travel ban imposed on several countries, including Yemen, as well as the possibility of easing measures associated with this law in light of the exceptional circumstances faced by Yemen and Yemenis in the diaspora. They also discussed ways to enhance cooperation and direct support for Yemeni American institutions and organizations.
