Yemen’s Houthis to Stop Attacks, Hope Saudis Do Likewise

Houthi leaders urge 'strong gesture' from Saudis

As the Saudis continue to step up attacks in northern Yemen, the Houthis have announced that they will be halting all attacks on the Saudis, and are urging the Saudis to halt attacks as well and join peace efforts.

Houthi officials threatened more attacks if the Saudis ultimately ignored the call for peace. So far, the Saudis have not issued any statements one way or another about it.

The Houthis are responding to the Saudi escalation since the Houthis attacked Saudi oil refineries with drones, but the Saudis never publicly admitted the Houthis were behind it, meaning they’re likely to keep that narrative.

And yet after five years of fighting in Yemen, the Saudis clearly are showing some signs of war exhaustion, and even if they’re unlikely to accept a Houthi peace overture immediately, there may be at least some support for pursuing the process.

Author: Jason Ditz

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.