Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promises economic assistance to Yemen's Houthis for ceasefire

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman promises economic assistance to Yemen's Houthis for ceasefire
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said Riyadh would 'provide… everything they need' if the Houthis agree to negotiations and a ceasefire.
2 min read
28 April, 2021
Mohammed bin Salman outlined Riyadh's stance on TV [FETHI BELAID/AFP via Getty Images]

Saudi Arabia remains ready to provide economic assistance to Yemen's Houthi rebels should they agree to a ceasefire and negotiations, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said in a Tuesday TV interview.

Prince Mohammed said Riyadh wants the Yemen rebels to negotiate with the Aden-based national government and other factions "to reach solutions that guarantee everyone's rights", according to a transcript published by Arab News.

He also added that Riyadh seeks to talks to "safeguard the interests of all the countries in the region".

"We still have our offer open to [have a] ceasefire and provide economic support and everything they need as long as the Houthis agree to a ceasefire and sitting on the negotiating table," he explained.

Asked whether he felt Iran would choose for the Sanaa-based group, Prince Mohammed said that despite their strong ties with Tehran, "they have the Arab and Yemeni instinct".

He added that Riyadh wishes this to be "even more revived" to allow the Houthis to put domestic needs first.

Despite this offer, MbS maintained support for Yemen's internationally-recognised government, led by President Abedrabbo Mansour, which he described as the "legitimate" authority in the country.

Yemen's humanitarian catastrophe
Click here to enlarge image (March 2018)

Read more: Can European arms companies be held liable for war crimes in Yemen?

"No country would accept [having] militias at their borders, or an armed group that operates outside of the law at its borders, this is not acceptable," he continued.

The Houthis rejected a Saudi ceasefire proposal in March.

A spokesman for the Houthis said the offer was "nothing new" and insisted on an air and sea blockade on territories the rebels control should be removed before a truce is enacted.

Saudi Arabia and the Houthis have been at war since March 2015, when Riyadh joined the Yemen war to prevent the rebels from capturing the southern city of Aden.

Rights groups have condemned Saudi Arabia and its allies’ actions in Yemen, saying their airstrikes are frequently indiscriminate and have caused tens of thousands of civilian deaths.

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