Saudi Arabia Will Announce a Near Agreement with the Houthis, Sources

Reports

Thu, 09-03-2023 01:34 PM, Aden

Aden (South24)

Today, diplomatic sources told South24 Center that Saudi Arabia may announce an near agreement with the Houthis in Yemen.

The sources indicated that Riyadh may announce the agreement after convincing the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) to do so.

Other informed sources indicated that the talks that led to this agreement were direct between Riyadh and the Houthis. South24 Center had previously revealed Saudi offers to the Houthis to persuade them to extend the truce.

Months ago, Saudi Arabia began direct, Omani-mediated, negotiations with the Houthis without the participation of other Yemeni parties.

According to well-informed sources told "South24 Center" that there is great opposition from parties within the PLC to any agreement with the Houthis that offers broader concessions to the rebel group, especially with regard to the issue of salaries.

Last Tuesday, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman met with the PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi and other members.

Absent from the meeting was the President of the Southern Transitional Council (STC) Aidrous Al-Zubaidi and two other members close to the UAE.

Diplomatic sources suggested that the meeting discussed the details of the understandings reached by the Saudis with the Houthis.

In a meeting, today, Rashad Al-Alimi briefed the PLC members on the recent meeting with Bin Salman, according to Saba agency.

In a related context, Al-Arab newspaper said yesterday that an agreement to extend the truce, with the specifications of a comprehensive peace agreement, may be announced soon.

The newspaper indicated, quoting unnamed diplomatic sources, that the announcement of reaching an agreement to extend the truce after the end of resolving the outstanding differences may take place at any moment.

According to the London-based newspaper, Saudi Arabia may host the signing ceremony of the new agreement between the Houthis and the Yemeni government.

This news coincides with the start of direct talks between the Houthis and the Yemeni government in Geneva regarding the prisoners' file, which may begin on Friday, according to the Saudi newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

Furthermore, the Saudi Foreign Minister stated Saudi Arabia's desire to reach a permanent ceasefire agreement in Yemen.

He said in a press conference today with his Russian counterpart in Moscow: We seek a permanent ceasefire in Yemen, followed by a political dialogue.

The Associated Press had revealed earlier features of this expected agreement, including security guarantees for the Saudis.

According to the agency, Saudi Arabia demanded a buffer zone on the border with Yemen in return for the Houthis' various conditions, including the payment of salaries to fighters and civilians.

Yemeni politicians fear the consequences of Saudi Arabia's agreement with the Houthis, in isolation from the active parties in the Yemeni scene.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman and PLC Chairman Rashad Al-Alimi (SPA)

Saudi Arabia Will Announce a Near Agreement with the Houthis, Sources