Houthi negotiators return to Yemen following truce talks in Saudi Arabia-Xinhua

Houthi negotiators return to Yemen following truce talks in Saudi Arabia

Source: Xinhua

Editor: huaxia

2023-09-20 02:35:45

SANAA, Sept. 19 (Xinhua) -- Houthi negotiators, accompanied by an Omani mediation delegation, returned on Tuesday to Yemen's Houthi-held capital Sanaa after truce talks in Saudi Arabia, according to Houthi-run al-Masirah TV.

The team is set to brief the outcomes of the negotiation round with Houthi leaders, the television reported, without revealing the details of the negotiations.

A source from the Yemeni government, speaking to Xinhua on condition of anonymity, said the Riyadh talks addressed several critical issues, including establishing a lasting cease-fire, using oil revenues to pay salaries for public servants in Houthi-controlled regions, and further easing restrictions on the Sanaa International Airport and the Hodeidah port, both controlled by the Houthi group.

The source noted that "some progress" has been made during the talks.

Last week, Saudi Arabia announced on its Foreign Ministry website that it had hosted talks between the Yemeni factions to pave the way for a political resolution between the parties.

This marked the first official visit to the kingdom by Houthi representatives since the Yemen conflict erupted in 2014 when the Iran-aligned group ousted a Saudi-backed government.

The protracted conflict has resulted in tens of thousands of casualties and brought the country to the brink of famine.

The previous truce, brokered by the United Nations, lasted for six months and expired in October 2022.