On Thursday, a Saudi team ended peace negotiations with the Houthi movement in Sanaa, citing progress and calling for more talks.
Saudi Arabia wants a permanent truce to terminate its military participation in a war that has killed tens of thousands and left millions starving.
Two Yemeni sources said the Saudi delegation left Sanaa on Thursday after a visit that signaled movement to expand on an expiring U.N.-brokered truce and followed last month’s Saudi-Iranian rapprochement.
Houthi politburo member Mohammed al-Bukhaiti said discussions were “going well.” Abdulmalik Alejri, another Houthi official, said, “With determination and honest intentions remaining difficulties can be resolved.”
According to Reuters, the Saudi-Houthi discussions sponsored by Oman are centered on a truce, complete reopening of Houthi-controlled ports and Sanaa airport, public sector wages, reconstruction, and foreign troop removal from Yemen.
Two anonymous Yemeni sources stated the sides might extend the truce while they resolve their disputes.
Three people involved with the discussions said oil revenue, public worker wages (which the Houthis insist include armed personnel), and a timeframe for foreign forces to leave were the primary sticking issues.
The alliance engaged against the Houthis after they toppled the Saudi-backed government from Sanaa in late 2014. Several Yemeni groups are fighting for power.
Houthis rule northern Yemen. A Saudi-backed presidential council replaced Yemen’s president-in-exile last year to represent the internationally recognized government.
Saudi Arabia and Iran, the region’s Sunni Muslim and Shi’ite heavyweights, are considered proxy warfare.
They have decided to reestablish diplomatic ties cut in 2016 as Riyadh manages regional tensions and prioritizes economic issues.
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