OREANDA-NEWS  Representatives of the United States and the Yemeni Houthis held a meeting over the weekend to discuss the situation in the Red Sea, Axios reported on Wednesday, citing sources.

"American diplomats met with Houthi representatives at the U.S. Embassy in Oman this weekend and discussed the tense situation in the Red Sea," the portal writes, citing a regional source.

The Axios interlocutor noted that the meeting was focused on maintaining the truce between the United States and the Houthis and ensuring that the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait remains open to navigation.

Last week, the Houthis conducted an offensive operation against the Yemeni government forces and took control of the entire Yemeni coast of the Red Sea, as well as territories adjacent to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. At the same time, the Houthis continue to exchange blows with Saudi Arabia.

In turn, Saudi Arabia, as noted by the Politico newspaper, turned to the United States for help in countering the Houthis' activity in the Middle East. Axios notes that Washington does not want to engage in military action.