• Conflict: Yemeni civilians, hostages of the crossfire between Iran and Saudi Arabia
  • Energy: Saudi Arabia's vulnerability sows uncertainty in the world economy

In full escalation of the regional conflict, after the attack suffered by Saudi oil company Aramco, the Houthis have launched an offer applauded by the UN and received with caution by Saudi Arabia. The Shiite rebel group of the Houthis, which controls large areas of Yemen, pledges to stop drone and missile attacks against Saudi oil facilities and airports if the Arab coalition leading Riyadh also suspends bombings on the poorest nation in the Persian Gulf , initiated in March 2015. "I call on all parties in Liza to seriously participate in sincere negotiations that can lead to broad national reconciliation without exclusion from anyone," said Mahdi al Mashat, leader of the Houthi political office, in his Affinity television Al Masirah.

The offer of cessation of hostilities, of which they have not transcended more details, has been well received by the UN . His special envoy in Yemen, Martin Griffiths, has tried during the last year to stop the spiral of violence in which the country is installed and relaunch peace negotiations that last December achieved a first progress with an agreement signed in Stockholm that He has achieved a fragile ceasefire in the port of Hodeida . For Griffiths, it is important to "seize this opportunity and move forward by taking all the necessary steps to reduce violence, military escalation and useless rhetoric." "Applying this initiative in good faith could send a powerful message about the will to end the war," acknowledged the diplomat, aware of the difficulties. The agreement signed in Sweden, which contemplated the exchange of prisoners, has barely registered any progress .

The proposal has obtained little credit in Saudi Arabia. "We judge the other parties for their deeds and acts, and not for their words. We will see if they really do," said Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al Jubeir. The Houthis vindicated the aggression against the oil plants, but Riyadh and Washington have rejected their attribution claiming that the attacks come directly from Iranian territory . "We are sure that the launch did not come from Yemen but came from the north," Al Jubeir said. Riyadh keeps an international investigation open, in which UN experts participate. "The kingdom will take appropriate measures based on the results of the investigation to ensure its safety and stability," he added. More than a declaration of war, the kingdom is pursuing an international condemnation of Tehran and will take advantage of the UN General Assembly that is held this week in New York to present the evidence that, in its judgment, accuses the Islamic Republic. A position that the US shares. "Our mission is to avoid war," said US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo on Sunday.

Saudi Arabia, whose air defense system failed a week ago and has fueled doubts about the vulnerability of the largest oil exporter of OPEC (Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries), has received close support from the US. The Pentagon announced on Friday a "moderate deployment" of its troops in the kingdom, at Saudi request. A presence that, in no case, will be counted by thousands of troops and will be focused on air defense. "We will work to accelerate the shipment of military equipment," said Defense Secretary Mark Esper. The increase in US uniforms in the region has caused the immediate reaction of Iran. " If there is someone who wants to turn their land into the main battlefield, go ahead . But be careful," said Iranian commander Husein Salami.

The Houthis have also threatened that, if the offer is rejected, "they will not hesitate to launch a period of great pain" after boasting of having "significantly improved" their capabilities in drones and missiles. The Yemeni civil war, transfigured in a conflict in which the regional powers settle their hegemony and in the greatest humanitarian crisis on the planet, is far from any outcome for a population punished by hunger and disease . "There should always be hope but the attempt to de-escalate the conflict in Yemen is now the only way to reduce the possibility of an open dispute between Saudi Arabia and Iran," Yemeni analyst Sama'a al Hamdani tells EL MUNDO. "The efforts of Griffiths to achieve a ceasefire will influence the achievement of peace throughout the region. If there is a certain will of Iranians and Saudis to participate in negotiations, we will see it in Yemen. The end of the Houthi conflict and the Arab coalition does not mean the outcome of the war in Yemen but it would be a good start, "he concludes.

According to the criteria of The Trust Project

Know more

  • Yemen
  • Un
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Iran