Yemeni politicians remain hopeful that an expedited pace towards a practical roadmap will ultimately lead to the restoration of peace and the end of the coup that began in late 2014, despite concerns about the Houthi group’s evasiveness and the typical opportunism of the Iranian regime.
Recent regional developments, including the agreement to end the rift between Saudi Arabia and Iran, have bolstered Yemeni hopes for peace. This is based on the assumption that Tehran will exert pressure on the Houthi group to accept a fair peace, as proposed by Saudi and Omani mediators.
A significant advancement in the quest for peace was the recent Saudi and Omani delegation’s intensive discussions with Houthi leaders in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa.
According to leaked information, a well-defined roadmap has been devised, which entails strengthening the ceasefire, broadening the truce in areas related to humanitarian aid, such as salaries, opening of crossings, and lifting restrictions on airports and seaports.
The roadmap concludes with an agreement on a negotiation path that culminates in a lasting peace.
The Houthi group leaders send confusing messages on social media, which make it unclear if they are serious about peace. However, if Iran and other countries pressure them, they might stop relying on old-fashioned and violent ideas.
Meanwhile, the Houthi group stated that Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Mohammed Abdul-Salam, the group’s spokesperson and chief negotiator, who is described as their de facto foreign minister, in the Omani capital, Muscat, on Tuesday evening.
Abdul-Salam tweeted that he discussed with Amir-Abdollahian “developments on the national and regional level, Oman's efforts to succeed in the peace process in Yemen, and developments in the Palestinian issue.”
He also noted that the Iranian minister said his country “welcomes any initiative (...) for a comprehensive ceasefire and understanding among political groups.”
The Saudi Foreign Ministry had previously reported in a statement that a Saudi team, led by the Kingdom’s ambassador to Yemen, held a series of meetings in Sanaa. These meetings saw extensive discussions on a range of humanitarian issues, such as the release of all prisoners, cessation of hostilities, and finding a comprehensive political solution in Yemen.
