New Delhi: The Houthis from Yemen are carrying out persistent missile and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia. This poses a threat not only to high-rise buildings in Saudi Arabia but also to the lives of ordinary citizens. Saudi Arabia seeks a ceasefire with the Yemeni Houthis, yet there appears to be no possibility of finding a middle ground at present. Saudi Arabia is actively taking the initiative to negotiate a ceasefire.
According to sources, Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman made a surprise visit to Iran to discuss a potential ceasefire with the Houthis. This visit is being viewed as an effort toward establishing a truce. As of now, the Yemeni Houthis do not appear willing to agree to a ceasefire with Saudi Arabia. A question has arisen as to whether Saudi Arabia might provide funds to the Houthis through Iran; such speculation is circulating behind the scenes.
Will Saudi Arabia pay a ransom to the Houthis?
Saudi Arabia is determined to halt the attacks by engaging in talks with the Yemeni Houthis, though the likelihood of reaching a compromise remains slim. It is suggested that Saudi Arabia intends to offer $1 billion to the Houthis via Iran. According to sources, the Saudi Defence Minister arrived in Tehran carrying this sum aboard a Hercules military transport aircraft. So far, no Saudi official has disclosed any such transaction.
These discussions are taking place at a time when the Houthis are continuously bombarding Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities. Meanwhile, this visit by the Saudi Defence Minister was facilitated by Saudi Arabia’s partners under the ‘Mecca Defence Agreement.’ The proceedings were also attended by Turkey’s intelligence chief, Ibrahim Kalin, and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Asim Munir.
Despite this, neither Pakistan nor Turkey has been able to provide significant assistance to Saudi Arabia. Both nations merely dispatched military advisors rather than deploying any additional military forces. The Makkah Agreement includes a provision that if any member state is attacked, the other member states may provide it with military assistance.
Iran Engaged in Mediation
Iran is attempting to mediate to establish peace between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis. In a statement, the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the visit to Iran by Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman and representatives from the member states of the Makkah Joint Defence Alliance is aimed at reducing regional tensions. Meanwhile, Saudi officials have not confirmed whether any funds have been transferred.
Officials indicated that part of the conflict with the Houthis stems from the failure to implement agreements reached three years ago. Under these agreements, Saudi Arabia was to provide direct financial assistance to the Houthis. These funds were intended to be used for paying the salaries of government employees in Houthi-controlled territories, as well as for restoring public services and infrastructure.
It was expected that the Houthis would adhere to a ceasefire and cease their attacks on Saudi Arabia. In recent months, however, the Houthis have sought to justify their attacks by claiming that Saudi Arabia has reneged on those agreements. Nevertheless, as part of its ongoing conflict with the United States, Iran is clearly the force driving the current escalation in tensions.
