Saudi Arabia Acknowledges ‘Constructive Outcomes’ Following Yemeni Houthi Rebel Visit for Peace Negotiations

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Saudi Arabia commended the “constructive outcomes” emerging from discussions with representatives of Yemen’s Houthi rebels, following their five-day visit to the kingdom for peace negotiations. However, the Saudi government has released limited information concerning the substance of the talks aimed at bringing an end to the conflict that has devastated Yemen, the Arab world’s most impoverished nation.

The negotiations marked a significant milestone, representing the most senior-level and publicly acknowledged discussions with the Houthi faction in Saudi territory. This comes as Saudi Arabia endeavors to put an end to its multi-year coalition warfare in Yemen, a conflict that has been further complicated by a broader regional rivalry with Iran. It should be noted that Saudi Arabia and Iran have recently reached a phase of détente.

The Saudi Foreign Ministry issued a statement early Wednesday, marking the conclusion of the Houthi visit, and expressed optimism over the “constructive outcomes from the in-depth discussions concerning establishing a road map to bolster the pathway to peace in Yemen.”

“The kingdom remains steadfast in its support for Yemen and its people and encourages all Yemeni factions to engage in dialogue with the aim of achieving a comprehensive and enduring political resolution under the auspices of the United Nations,” the statement read.

During their visit, the Houthi delegation met with Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman, the sibling of the influential Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. In a public social media message, Prince Khalid refrained from explicitly naming the group as the Houthis or Ansar Allah, their formal name, instead referring to the delegation as the “Sanaa delegation.”

Prince Khalid emphasized Saudi Arabia’s ongoing commitment to fostering dialogue among the conflicting parties, with the aim of achieving a comprehensive settlement under the supervision of the United Nations.

Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the Houthi’s lead negotiator, indicated via an online platform that they had “engaged in exhaustive meetings with Saudi officials, during which we explored various alternatives to resolve differences that were the subject of earlier rounds of talks.”

He further stated that the discussions would be submitted to Houthi leadership for consideration, with the aim of expediting salary disbursements and addressing the humanitarian crisis affecting the Yemeni populace, ultimately leading to a fair, comprehensive, and lasting resolution.

It is worth noting that the Houthis have consistently insisted that any peace agreement must include the Saudi-led coalition’s commitment to pay salaries of state employees, including military forces, from Yemen’s oil and gas revenue and to open all airports and ports under Houthi control.

The Houthi-run SABA news agency confirmed the delegation’s return to Sanaa but did not provide further details on the discussions.

International bodies, such as the United Nations, which is currently hosting its annual General Assembly in New York, have yet to offer commentary on Saudi Arabia’s statements. A joint communiqué from the United States and the foreign ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council, a six-nation Arab bloc led by Riyadh, lauded “Saudi Arabia’s continuous efforts to stimulate Yemeni-to-Yemeni dialogue.”

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken also held discussions with his counterparts from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates concerning the Yemeni conflict on the margins of the U.N. summit, describing the current time as an “opportunity to assist the people of Yemen in steering towards lasting peace and security.”

The conflict in Yemen commenced in 2014 when the Houthis overran Sanaa and significant portions of northern Yemen. This led the internationally recognized government to retreat southward and eventually seek refuge in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition intervened shortly thereafter, setting off a regional proxy war that has also involved Iran and the United States, albeit peripherally. The U.S. has scaled back its support due to international criticism over civilian casualties but is suspected to still be conducting drone strikes in the region.

The conflict has resulted in over 150,000 deaths, both combatants and civilians, and has precipitated one of the globe’s most severe humanitarian crises. Despite a cease-fire that lapsed last October, relative calm has generally prevailed, and there have been instances of prisoner exchanges between Saudi Arabia, its local allies, and the Houthis as part of ongoing peace initiatives.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Saudi-Houthi Talks

More about Saudi-Houthi Talks

• Saudi Arabia and Houthi Peace Talks: A New Chapter?
• Yemen Conflict: Timeline and Background
• Saudi-Houthi Negotiations: What’s on the Table?
• United Nations Role in Yemen Peace Process
• U.S. Foreign Policy on Yemen
• Humanitarian Crisis in Yemen
• Gulf Cooperation Council’s Statement on Yemen