Saudi Arabia Proposes a 'Two-Week Ceasefire' to Yemen's Houthi Rebels to Discuss Humanitarian Issues

[Financial News] Saudi Arabia has proposed a two-week ceasefire to the pro-Iranian Houthi rebels in Yemen, who are launching a massive offensive, according to Al Mayadeen, a pro-Hezbollah Lebanese media outlet, on the 17th (local time).
According to reports, a senior source well-versed in the situation stated, "Saudi Arabia proposed a two-week ceasefire to the Houthi rebels through the Omani government to discuss solutions to humanitarian issues in Yemen."
The source added, "The Saudi side confirmed that an agreement between the two sides regarding humanitarian issues would be officially announced within the proposed ceasefire period."
In this regard, Abdullah Al-Farah Al-Mayadin, the Yemen bureau chief, analyzed, "This move by Saudi Arabia shows that it ultimately chose the ceasefire card after failing to build an alliance against Sana'a (a region occupied by Houthi rebels)."
Recently, Houthi rebels have been threatening oil export routes by occupying strategic strongholds near the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, the southern gateway to the Red Sea and a key oil transport route, and have been engaged in fierce armed clashes with Saudi Arabia and Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces. The Houthi rebels are continuing to push back Yemeni government forces following fierce battles across several provinces.
Previously, the Houthi rebels declared a hardline stance in response to years of military intervention and blockades by the Saudi-led Arab coalition, stating, "We will respond to blockades with blockades, and military expansion with expansion."



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