AS the brutal war in Yemen drags on, a fresh push for peace is being made to end the six-year-old conflict. Saudi Arabia has offered its nemesis in Yemen, the Iran-allied Houthi movement, “a comprehensive ceasefire”, though the Houthis have initially dismissed it as “nothing new” and an initiative “for media consumption”. Moreover, the Houthis, who control the capital Sana’a, have called for a complete lifting of the air and sea blockade Riyadh has enforced. There could be several reasons for the recent offer from Saudi Arabia. Firstly, the Houthis are advancing on their way to the city of Marib, which is controlled by the internationally recognised government, and the strategic prize may fall to the rebel movement. Secondly, despite Saudi Arabia’s far superior firepower and finances, the Houthis keep giving the kingdom a difficult time through their drone campaign targeting Riyadh’s energy installations. Also, the Biden administration has withdrawn some support for the Saudi-led coalition, while the powers that be in the kingdom may have come to the conclusion that the Yemen war is unwinnable. They can keep pounding Yemen, while the Houthis can keep hitting them back, only protracting a bloody stalemate, and the long nightmare of the Yemeni people.

Whatever the reason for the peace initiative, all parties should take advantage of the opportunity and continue the dialogue process. Despite the Houthis’ apparent rigidity, the movement’s spokesman said they will continue to talk to Riyadh. Saudi Arabia being the larger power should take the lead, announce a ceasefire and allow in desperately needed humanitarian assistance. If this is done, the Houthis must respond in good faith. This grotesque war has left hundreds of thousands of people dead, and millions hungry and ill, with children being the major victims. It will take a long time to rebuild Yemen and heal the wounds of its people, particularly a generation that has known nothing but war. Therefore, all parties to this conflict must silence their guns and reach a negotiated settlement.

Published in Dawn, March 24th, 2021