Hope for a new shot at serious peace talks in Yemen are growing, with violence somewhat on the decline and the Saudis ceasing airstrikes against Sanaa and other cities held by the Houthi movement.
Both sides are crediting Oman with a lot of the effort, as a visiting delegation has been pushing both sides hard to try to focus on mutually important issues and to generally build the ground for productive talks.
Perhaps the biggest sign of progress is the return of Houthi negotiator Mohammed Abdulsalam, who has been stuck in Muscat since 2016, with the Saudi war machine keeping him from flying safely back to Yemen. The airport is to reopen, and Abdulsalam is flying back this weekend.
Both sides are talking with Oman on the humanitarian situation, and there is an upbeat sense from both sides that Oman is offering them a serious attempt at independent mediation, a key after several years of war.
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