Stuck issues… Will the Houthis fulfill their promises to end the conflict in Yemen?

The Middle East has seen a remarkable acceleration in diplomatic rapprochement in recent weeks, as politicians and diplomats expand channels of communication and take concrete steps to develop relations, establishing trust and working constructively with former adversaries.

Outstanding issues

In the case of Yemen, now in its eighth year of war since the Houthi rebel militia took control of Sana’a in 2014 – recent moves toward a long-term truce and perhaps a political solution to the conflict are welcome, but the question of trust is especially important when governments and the international community must deal politically with a large and well-armed militia, according to The National.

Analysts say that Saudi Arabia’s talks with Iran over the past months have given momentum to political peace in Yemen and made an agreement with the rebels more likely, especially given that negotiations over a planned prisoner exchange have stalled for at least three years. “This week, photos show the Saudi ambassador to Yemen, who is visiting Sanaa to meet Houthi figures along with a delegation from Oman, that initial confidence, of some sort, may have been established.”

“We still have a long way to go and efforts to end long-standing conflicts are often fraught with risks, with militia intentions still being questioned,” said Hans Grundberg, the UN special envoy to Yemen.

According to the magazine, there is also concern about the movement’s hostility toward members of Yemen’s religious minorities, and the rebels will have to facilitate the work of international aid organizations that want to help the country’s millions of impoverished civilians.

“It is unrealistic to expect an extremist organization like the Houthis, steeped in extremist ideology, to change overnight, she said.” “The Houthis have entrenched their loyalists in Yemen’s political institutions, and the group remains a potent source of regional instability, with a track record of attacking neighboring countries.”

Last week, an Omani official said, “It’s not about peace mediators, it’s about peace mediators, but about Yemenis opening themselves to fraternal negotiations to end the civil war.”

“For this to happen, confidence must be built, as the government of Yemen, its regional neighbors, and the international community are willing to do their part, so it is up to the Houthis to prove they are partners for peace”, the magazine said.