Ahmed Abdulkareem, a Yemeni journalist, writes that Houthi advances and Saudi-Iran talks are causing Saudi Arabia to take a more conciliatory tone towards Yemen, a country being choked to death by what is effectively a Saudi blockade.
Some 5 million Yemenis — two-thirds of the country’s workforce — have lost their jobs as a result of the blockade and ongoing war, according to the General Federation of Trade Unions of Yemen.
The Yemeni Workers Authority reports that more than 3,355 factories, 4,134 agricultural fields, 193 power stations, 793 water storage tanks and related infrastructure, 38 government-run universities, and 95 higher-education institutions and community colleges have been destroyed by Western weapons dropped on Yemen by the Saudi-led Coalition. At least 17,000 workers have been killed or injured.
But the possible impending defeat of Saudi-backed fighters in Yemen’s Marib province, the Houthi attacks on Saudi targets, and international pressure, have drawn from Saudi Arabian Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) a more reconciliatory posture.
On a May 4, Tuesday night news television program, MBS used uncharacteristically friendly language to describe the Houthis, including calling them Arab (as opposed to an Iranian outside force).
A Saudi offer to the Houthis ostensibly included economic support for rebuilding the country, and for Saudi Arabia to “allow” the movement to rule northern Yemen, which includes the nation’s capital Sana’a. But the Saudi offer also included a demand that the Houthis end their alliance with Iran and abandon support for the Palestinian cause.
The change in Saudi attitude towards Yemen comes, according to Abdulkareem, just days after secret talks were held in Iraq between Saudi and Iranian officials.
The United States could end the war immediately, by threatening to pull the U.S. maintenance contract with Saudi Arabia required to keep its military jets in the air.
https://www.mintpressnews.com/yemen-houthi-advances-secret-saudi-iran-talks-conciliatory-mbs/276973/
