US officials have confirmed that they are now in direct talks with the
Shi’ite Houthi movement in Yemen. The talks were confirmed by Assistant Secretary of State David Schneker, who briefed reporters in Saudi Arabia.
Schneker said the talks are “narrowly focused on trying to end the war
in Yemen,” and that the two sides are seeking a “mutually acceptable
negotiated solution to the conflict,” though he offered no details on
the direction of that effort.
Such a direction for talks has interested officials for some time now,
particularly given the unpopularity of the Yemen War and the
difficulties it is causing in Congress for US arms deals to nations
involved in the war.
Talks are ongoing in Oman, and the US has been trying to get Saudi
Arabia to participate, though it’s unclear if that has happened. Saudi
Arabia may feel the Houthiss are a lower priority now with war breaking
out in South Yemen with the separatists.
US in Direct Talks With Yemen’s Houthis
Talks 'narrowly focused on trying to end the war'
Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.
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