Saudi Arabia has put forward a proposal for a two‑week cessation of hostilities with Yemen’s Houthi rebels, the Lebanese daily Al‑Akhbar reported. The ceasefire would be a preliminary step before direct negotiations aimed at addressing humanitarian concerns and laying the groundwork for a more comprehensive agreement.
The Saudi offer includes a willingness to discuss the removal of the air, land and sea restrictions that have been imposed on Yemen since the conflict intensified in 2015. Al‑Akhbar said Riyadh is prepared to allow humanitarian assistance to flow more freely into the country, signalling a potential easing of the blockade that has limited food, medicine and other essential supplies.
Houthi officials, however, have expressed reservations about the limited nature of the proposal. According to the newspaper, the rebels are seeking a full‑scale settlement that would not only end the blockade but also require the withdrawal of Saudi military, security and political personnel from Yemeni territory. The Houthis have indicated that a short‑term truce would not satisfy their broader demands for a comprehensive peace framework.
The Saudi position, as outlined by Al‑Akhbar, frames the two‑week pause as a confidence‑building measure intended to open channels for dialogue. Riyadh has indicated that, contingent on progress in talks, it could move toward a more extensive disengagement from the conflict, though no specific timeline or conditions have been disclosed.
The development comes amid ongoing international calls for a durable resolution to the Yemeni war, which has generated one of the world’s worst humanitarian crises. The United Nations and various aid agencies have repeatedly warned that the blockade hampers the delivery of life‑saving assistance to millions of civilians. Whether the current proposal will bridge the gap between Saudi and Houthi expectations remains uncertain, as both sides appear to hold divergent views on the scope and sequencing of any future settlement.
Reporting attribution: based on reporting by Middle East Eye — original source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/live-blog/live-blog-update/riyadh-offers-lift-yemen-blockade-two-week-truce-houthis-al-akhbar.