HOUTHI SUPPORTERS CHANT SLOGANS AS THEY ATTEND A RALLY MARKING EIGHT YEARS FOR A SAUDI-LED COALITION LAST MONTH IN SANAA, YEMEN. AP PHOTO/HANI MOHAMMED
Saudi officials are in Yemen's capital to hold talks with Iran-backed Houthi rebels as part of international efforts to resolve the nine-year conflict.
An Omani delegation will also join the talks, the Washington Post reports.
The talks aim to find ways to achieve comprehensive and lasting peace in the region.
- A six-month truce and cessation of all military activities across Yemen have been proposed as part of the understanding between the two sides.
- Both sides have agreed to ease further restrictions on Sanaa's airport and the Houthi-controlled Red Sea ports in Hodeida.
- The Houthis would lift their blockade on Taiz.
- Payment from oil and gas revenues for all state employees has been proposed in exchange for the rebels allowing exporting oil from government-held areas.
- There are positive signals that a ceasefire deal will be announced, but many fundamental issues must be addressed before settling the conflict.
The Houthi-Saudi negotiations would face significant challenges in reaching a permanent settlement to the conflict, and progress may not be seen soon, given the situation's complexities.
