Neil Hop appointed US chargé d'affaires to Yemen

Neil Hop, a senior U.S. diplomat with more than 24 years of experience in the State Department, has been appointed chargé d'affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen, succeeding Steven Fagen. The appointment was announced on August 5, 2026.

In his first statement, Hop said confronting the Iran‑backed Houthi militia is a top priority. He outlined U.S. goals to protect freedom of navigation in the Red Sea, prevent the region from becoming a haven for terrorist groups, and deepen cooperation with the Yemeni government and Saudi partners as part of the broader U.S. national‑security strategy.