Smoke rises from a Saudi Aramco oil storage facility after an attack in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, March 26, 2022. REUTERS/Stringer/File Photo
RIYADH, March 26 – The Yemeni Houthi group said Saturday it was suspending missile and drone strikes on Saudi Arabia for three days. In a peace initiative, it could be a permanent commitment if the Saudi-led coalition ceases fighting in Yemen, including air strikes and lifting of port restrictions.
The group also announced a three-day suspension of ground offensives in Yemen, including in the gas-producing region of Marib, Mahdi al-Mashat, the head of the Houthis’ political bureau, said in a televised speech.
“This is a sincere invitation and practical steps to restore confidence and move all sides from the arena of talks to the arena of action,” Mashat said.
The unilateral initiative came as the war between the Iran-allied group and the Saudi-led coalition entered its eighth year and violence has increased in recent months. The conflict has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, and threatened millions with starvation and disease.
The Saudi-led coalition bombed the Houthi-controlled seaports of Hodeidah and Salif with airstrikes on Saturday, a day after the group launched broad attacks on Saudi Arabia, including an oil facility in Jeddah, and caused a huge fire that a throwing out large cloud of black smoke. Continue reading
Crude oil prices rose more than 1% to over $120 a barrel on Friday after the Jeddah attacks. Continue reading
Armistice Terms
The lifting of restrictions imposed by coalition warships on Yemen’s Red Sea ports was a key Houthi condition of a ceasefire. Saudi Arabia says there is no blockade of ports and only prevents arms smuggling.
Saturday’s initiative would stand if the coalition reopened ports and halted its airstrikes, Mashat said, adding that the group would extend the suspension of ground operations if Saudi Arabia announced a withdrawal of foreign troops from Yemen and stop supporting local militias.
It is unlikely that the kingdom would agree to such terms as Riyadh is seeking a comprehensive ceasefire at the same time as the ports and Sana’a airport reopen.
The Saudi-led coalition last year offered a unilateral ceasefire. The Houthis rejected the offer, saying the humanitarian situation and the reopening of ports must be addressed before any peace talks.
Mashat said the group stands ready to release all prisoners, including Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi’s brother.
The United Nations is also trying to secure a temporary ceasefire for the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which begins in April and before Riyadh hosts Yemeni parties for consultations later this month.
The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, but the Houthis say they are fighting a corrupt system and foreign aggression.
Reporting by Aziz El Yaakoubi, Editorial Office of Timothy Heritage