A Houthi delegation travels to Saudi Arabia to negotiate a permanent ceasefire in Yemen

Several Houthi officials will travel to Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening with an Omani delegation to mediate a possible permanent ceasefire in Yemen to end the war, two people involved in the talks have told Reuters.

According to the sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the talks between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis will revolve around the full reopening of Houthi-controlled ports and Sana'a airport, payment of salaries to civil servants, oil revenues, reconstruction efforts and a timetable for foreign forces to leave Yemen. 

The trip will be the first official visit by Houthi officials to the Kingdom since war broke out in Yemen in 2014, after the Iranian-backed Shia group overthrew the government in Sana'a, backed by Saudi Arabia and part of the international community.  

Since then, the conflict has plunged Yemen into violence, instability and poverty, making it the most severe humanitarian crisis on the planet. Hundreds of thousands have died in recent years, while the vast majority of those who have survived are dependent on international humanitarian aid.  

Due to the dire situation facing the country, the United Nations and countries such as the United States and Oman have tried to broker ceasefires and negotiations. The first round of Oman-mediated negotiations between Riyadh and Sana'a, which are being conducted in coordination with UN peace efforts, took place in April when Saudi envoys visited Sana'a. Saudi Arabia has also been involved in the negotiations.

On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has also taken important steps to end the war. In this regard, the re-establishment of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran last April thanks to Chinese mediation is worth noting, a development that has been seen as a boost to the longed-for peace in Yemen. An end to the conflict in Yemen would be a milestone in the Middle East and would promote stability and security in the region.