The Gulf Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, expressed their approval on Monday for the new commitments made by Yemen’s warring parties to move towards a ceasefire and engage in a UN-led peace process. The commitments, announced by the United Nations special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, are the latest attempt to end the ongoing war in the country, which has resulted in a dire humanitarian crisis.
Yemen has been engulfed in war since 2014, when the Iran-backed Houthi rebels seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention to support the internationally-recognized government. A UN-brokered ceasefire in April 2022 led to a significant reduction in hostilities, but the truce expired in October of the same year. Despite this, fighting has largely remained on hold.
Saudi Arabia welcomed the UN’s announcement of a “roadmap to support the path of peace” and encouraged the warring parties to engage in dialogue to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution under the auspices of the UN. Oman, which has been a mediator in the conflict, also welcomed the development and expressed hope for a speedy agreement. The United Arab Emirates and Qatar commended efforts to streamline a deal on a roadmap and thanked the UN and other regional players for their peace push.
However, Yemen’s warring parties are still at odds over a number of issues, including Houthi rebel attacks on commercial vessels in the Red Sea in support of Gaza. The Saudi-backed Yemeni government issued a warning about the risks and domestic consequences of these attacks, stating that they will lead to an increase in food prices in a country already suffering from a humanitarian crisis.
Overall, the announcement from the UN signals a shift in leadership of the negotiations, with the UN taking the lead and the Saudis allowing them to handle future political deals. The hope is that these new commitments will lead to a concrete agreement and bring an end to the devastating conflict in Yemen.