Saudi Arabia wants to contain a renewed conflict with Houthi militants through behind-the-scenes diplomacy, according to people familiar with the matter, in a bid to prevent clashes with the Iran-backed group hurting its oil industry and economy, Financial Post reports.
The kingdom has held talks with the Yemen-based Houthis via Omani mediators and is still preparing military options in case diplomacy fails, according to the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity so they could discuss sensitive information.
Riyadh conducted limited airstrikes on Houthi positions for two straight days in late July, but is not thought to have done so again as it tries to find a diplomatic resolution with the Islamist organization, which controls most of Yemen’s population, the people said.
Saudi Arabia has held intermittent Oman-mediated talks with the Houthis since a 2022 ceasefire. Now, Riyadh wants to restrain the Houthis and protect its Red Sea ports, from which it’s exporting the bulk of its oil with the Strait of Hormuz effectively closed.
The Saudi, Omani and US governments didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
The Houthis are pressing for more economic concessions from Riyadh, the people said. Following the truce four years ago, the group has repeatedly said Saudi Arabia should pay salaries for some Yemeni civil servants and lift all restrictions on goods and people going into Houthi-run areas as part of any lasting peace.
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