New Delhi: Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis have sought USD 51 billion and recognition as Yemen’s rulers after Saudi Arabia explored ways to end a fresh escalation,
The Wall Street Journal reported.
The discussions followed Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea. People briefed on the talks said the group described the payment as compensation for Saudi airstrikes and the blockade during the conflict.
Recognition would require Riyadh to accept the Houthis as the governing authority in its southern neighbour, despite its support for Yemen’s internationally recognised government.
Houthis advance towards Aden
The Houthis have captured more territory and advanced to within about 50 miles of Aden, according to the report. The southern port city serves as the seat of the Saudi-backed government.
Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in 2015 to counter the Houthis. The latest fighting follows a period of relative calm.
“The imbalance of risk between the Houthis and Saudi Arabia is even greater now than it was in the earlier period of conflict between 2015 and 2022, as the impact of the strikes on civilian and energy infrastructure undermines investor confidence,” Kristian Coates Ulrichsen of Rice University’s Baker Institute told the WSJ.
Airports and oil targeted
The report said Houthi attacks targeted Saudi civilian airports and Aramco-linked facilities during October. Repeated strikes forced thousands of flight cancellations at Riyadh’s King Khalid International Airport.
Saudi Arabia responded with airstrikes against Houthi positions.
A Houthi attack in Yemen’s Shabwah governorate reportedly killed at least 75 people and injured more than 200, the WSJ said.
Allies limit military support
Riyadh also faces constraints in securing outside military help. The UAE withdrew from the anti-Houthi campaign last December following tensions with Saudi Arabia, according to the report. Turkey’s parliament has yet to approve the Mecca Pact with Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Pakistan has declined offensive strikes inside Yemen, while Egypt has limited its proposed role to defence.
The US has also declined direct support for a fresh Saudi campaign, the report said. Yemeni analyst Maged Al-Madhaji warned against accepting the financial demand.
“The bigger problem is establishing a precedent whereby the group can escalate militarily whenever it wants additional concessions or money,” he told the WSJ.
