Yemen war: Saudi-Houthi talks bring hope of ceasefire

 A delegation from Saudi Arabia is currently in Sana'a, the capital of Yemen, to hold discussions with the Houthi rebel group in an effort to achieve a new and perhaps long-lasting ceasefire.

Also present in Sana'a is an Omani mediation team.

Since the Houthis forced the Yemeni government out of the capital in 2015, they have been in charge of it.

Soon after, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia that was backing the government and the Houthis went to war.

Tens of thousands of Yemenis have died as a result of it since then, and 80% of the population now depends on aid.

Although the Saudi government has not yet made an official announcement, Houthi media reports that both the Saudi and Omani delegations are in Sana'a.

A photo that has been published purports to show Mohammed Ali al-Houthi, the leader of the Houthis, shaking hands with an unidentified Saudi official.

This has been hailed as yet another crucial indication that all parties are now ready to achieve an agreement that could put an end to the war.

No specific officials have responded, but there have been rumors from a number of sources that a deal would be reached before the month is out.

Once more, the specifics of such an agreement have not been disclosed.

However, they are rumored to include more ambitious objectives, such as reconstructing the nation, the withdrawal of foreign forces, and a political transition, in addition to pledges to pay public employees' paychecks and restore all ports and airports. All of them have previously presented difficulties.

The UN mechanism that resulted in a short truce last year is parallel to this attempt.

Various confidence-building initiatives, including the lifting of import restrictions and the exchanging of prisoners, were able to proceed throughout the period of the truce and have persisted.

A long-term cease-fire between the Saudi-led coalition and the Houthis wouldn't necessarily put a stop to all hostilities because the crisis in Yemen is complicated.

Al-Qaeda and other groups still have their own conflicts to resolve.

The proxy conflict between Saudi Arabia and Iran, however, appears to be drawing to an end as the two regional foes have agreed to resume diplomatic relations.

That seems to have given rise to a serious effort to put an end to the war, with the negotiations in Sana'a being unquestionably essential to its success.