Yemen’s ceasefire at aisk as Riyadh ignores Sanaa’s peace demands
SANAA, Oct. 16 (YPA) – Despite the passage of more than four years since the UN-brokered truce agreement and despite the formulation of a comprehensive peace roadmap following intensive negotiation rounds between Riyadh and Sanaa, Riyadh continues to refuse moving from a phase of de-escalation to implementing the peace obligations.
In September 2023, talks between Sanaa and Riyadh had reached a highly advanced stage, with expectations of the formal signing of the peace plan. However, the American intervention halted the process at the last moment. Washington reportedly exerted pressure on Riyadh to delay the signing, citing Sanaa’s involvement in the Al-Aqsa Flood battle and its military support for Gaza, as a means to use the Yemeni file as leverage to force Sanaa to back down and cease its military operations supporting Gaza.
Washington links peace in Yemen to Sanaa’s stance on Gaza
The United States has explicitly tied the peace process in Yemen to Sanaa’s stance on the Gaza crisis. In January 2024, US Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking, stated in an interview with Al-Sharq TV Saudi channel that “attacks on ships threaten the opportunity for peace in Yemen,” a stance reiterated by multiple US officials in the subsequent months.
On June 20, 2024, Sanaa’s negotiation delegation head, Mohammed Abdulsalam, revealed in an interview with Al-Mayadeen that a comprehensive peace agreement with Saudi Arabia was ready, including a detailed roadmap.
He said the only remaining step was the official announcement, but its implementation was halted following the Al-Aqsa Flood operation and Sanaa’s support for Gaza.
Abdulsalam explained that the initial phase of the agreement included a ceasefire, lifting restrictions on ports, paying salaries, and implementing economic measures to improve living conditions, as well as a prisoner exchange.
He confirmed that both sides reached a written, phased agreement submitted to the UN and approved by Saudi Arabia, but its execution was suspended after Sanaa’s support for Gaza and the Palestinian resistance.
Economic escalation and warnings
Saudi Arabia’s delay in signing the roadmap was not the only issue; under US pressure, Riyadh has escalated economic sanctions through its allied government in Aden, targeting Sanaa’s airport, airlines, banks, and commercial institutions. However, Riyadh underestimated the potential negative impact of this escalation on its security and vital infrastructure. On July 7, 2024, Sayyed Abdul-Malik al-Houthi issued a stern warning against continued escalation, stating that Washington seeks to involve Riyadh and urged the Saudi leadership to cease its conspiracies, warning that responses would be proportional: “Banks for banks, airport for airport, ports for ports.”
Following his speech, Sanaa’s military media released images and coordinates of several Saudi airports and ports, indicating that ongoing escalation could be costly and might weaken the prospects of implementing Saudi Vision 2030’s economic and developmental goals.
Days after Al-Houthi’s speech, the Saudi leadership chose to de-escalate. On July 23, the UN Envoy to Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced an agreement between Saudi Arabia and Sanaa to de-escalate regarding the banking sector and Yemeni Airlines.
Since then, Riyadh’s stance on signing the peace roadmap it negotiated with Sanaa has remained unchanged, despite repeated calls from Sanaa for implementation.
Sanaa reiterates call for peace
Amid ongoing deadlock, Yemen’s Supreme Political Council Chairman Mahdi Al-Mashat reiterated called on the Saudi regime to move from the de-escalation phase to end the “aggression, siege, and occupation” and implement the requirements for peace in Yemen.
This came during his speech on the occasion of the 62nd anniversary of the October 14 Revolution.
President Al-Mashat addressed Riyadh, stating, “Ending the aggression, siege, and occupation, and implementing peace requirements is the closest solution to block the path of those who invest in wars among the sons of our nation to serve Israel.” This was a clear indication that a return to escalation is possible if Riyadh’s disregard continues.
Saudi Arabia has yet to respond to these appeals, with no official statements issued so far.
Return to the Escalation Square
The continued Saudi hesitation to sign a peace agreement with Sanaa, influenced by American calculations, appears likely to return the situation to a state of escalation. With the Gaza war ending and Sana’a’s military activities decreasing, voices within Yemen are calling for action against Riyadh’s inaction.
If the current calm is not translated into practical steps toward peace, a return to escalation is a realistic possibility. This time, the cost for Riyadh could be significantly higher, especially considering Sanaa’s demonstrated possession of advanced weaponry during its support for Gaza.
@E.Y.M