The U.S. State Department announced on Friday that Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis have failed to try to secure a ceasefire and take move toward resolving the brutal conflict.

“While there are numerous problematic actors inside of Yemen, the Houthis bear major responsibility for refusing to engage meaningfully on a ceasefire and to take steps to resolve a nearly seven-year conflict that has brought unimaginable suffering to the Yemeni people,” the department said after special U.S. envoy Tim Lenderking returned from the region.

On Wednesday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and highlighted U.S. commitment to helping the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia defend its territory and people, the Pentagon said.

In a statement, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said Austin and Prince Mohammed discussed regional security, particularly efforts to end the war in Yemen, and “ongoing bilateral efforts to improve Saudi Arabia’s defenses.”