In its latest move to bring an end to the long-running war in Yemen, Saudi Arabia officials held talks with Iran-backed Houthi rebels to resolve the crisis and end more than eight years of war between the government and the Houthi militia.
Saudi and Houthi leaders met on Sunday for the first time in public in the Houthi-held capital, Sana’a. The talks, which were mediated by Oman, were seen as a sign of progress in ongoing consultations between Riyadh and the Houthi officials.
The discussions centered on a permanent ceasefire to end Saudi Arabia’s military involvement in Yemen and the lifting of the Saudi-led blockade on Yemeni ports. Other issues included the reopening of Houthi-controlled ports and the Sanaa airport, payment of wages for public servants, and a timeline for foreign forces to exit the country.
The meeting comes as peace initiatives have gained momentum following the recent agreement between Saudi Arabia and Iran to re-establish ties, brokered by China as well as by the efforts of Oman.
President Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthi Supreme Political Council, reiterated the group’s desire for an “honorable peace” and stated that the Yemeni people aspire to “freedom and independence.” Both sides expressed their commitment to negotiating an end to hostilities.
The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to Yemen, Mohammed Al-Jaber, stated that the recent talks that took place with the Houthis in Sanaa were aimed at reviving a ceasefire and putting an end to the ongoing conflict in the country.
“Continuing the Kingdom’s efforts to end the Yemeni crisis, and in support (of) the Saudi Initiative of 2021 to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, I visit Sanaa along with a delegation from the brotherly Sultanate of Oman to stabilize the truce and ceasefire,” Al-Jaber tweeted on Monday.
1️⃣ Continuing the Kingdom’s efforts to end the Yemeni crisis, and in support the Saudi Initiative of 2021 to reach a comprehensive political solution in Yemen, I visit Sana’a along with a delegation from the brotherly Sultanate of Oman to stabilize the truce and ceasefire,… pic.twitter.com/xqPty81Ds9
— محمد ال جابر (@mohdsalj) April 10, 2023
UN hails talks
On Monday, the UN spokesperson Dujarric characterized the weekend talks in Yemen’s capital, Sana’a, between Saudi and Omani delegations and Houthi rebel officials as a positive step towards reducing tensions. According to Dujarric, the discussions were “very much welcomed by the Secretary-General”.
“Neighbouring Oman has been involved in peace talks with the warring parties in Yemen, running in parallel with UN efforts, led by Special Envoy Hans Grundberg, who Mr. Dujarric said was continuing to ‘explore options to extend and expand’ an UN-brokered six-month truce, which expired last October,” the UN statement added.
The talks were being closely monitored by regional member states to restart the political process and prevent any further escalation of the ongoing conflict. Notably, the UN was not involved in the talks conducted in the Yemeni capital under Houthi control.
Yemeni Govt support peace talks
Yemen’s government expressed appreciation for Saudi Arabia’s significant diplomatic initiatives aimed at resolving the conflict. “We express our appreciation for the exceptional efforts made by the brothers in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to bring peace to Yemen, as well as our full support for their efforts to achieve peace in the region and move it from a stage of conflicts and internal strife to one of stability and security,” the Yemeni minister said.
Yemen’s factions ‘ready’ to exchange hundreds of prisoners
Yemen’s warring parties and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have completed preparations for a three-day prisoner exchange operation, which will commence this week, according to Saudi media. ICRC’s planes will begin transferring dozens of Yemeni government prisoners on April 13.