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A Saudi delegation arrived in Sanaa,
Yemen's capital, on Sunday to negotiate a potential new truce with the
Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have controlled the city since 2014. The visit
follows the announcement of a surprise rapprochement between Saudi Arabia and
Iran that was brokered by China last month, raising hopes for progress in the
Yemen conflict, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of
people. Last week, Omani mediators also arrived in Sanaa.
The Yemeni government source said that Saudi officials and the Houthis have tentatively
agreed to a six-month ceasefire, paving the way for three months of talks to
establish a two-year transition for the country. The agreement is expected to
fulfil Houthi objectives, including paying salaries to civil servants in Houthi-controlled
areas and lifting operational restrictions on Houthi-controlled airports and
ports. Saudi officials have yet to comment on the report.
Residents expressed hope for a breakthrough beyond a Saudi exit, stressing the
need for a political resolution among the country's warring parties. A teacher
in the port city of Hodeida said that the economic toll of the fighting was
severe, and war meant the "deterioration of our economic situation".
Talks on Yemen made progress as the United States confirmed that it had sent a
nuclear-powered guided-missile submarine into the Suez Canal in recent days.
Since 2015, the Yemeni conflict has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people, most of them civilians. The Houthis have launched attacks on Saudi Arabia, and Riyadh has supported the internationally recognised government with a military coalition, including the United Arab Emirates and other Arab nations. A truce announced a year ago has significantly reduced active hostilities within Yemen, but it officially expired in October, and the conflict continues to impact civilians in the country. (Courtesy: Dawn.pk)
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