Discussions in Riyadh regarding new agreement in Yemen

The UN Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, met with the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC) in Riyadh today to discuss reaching a new political agreement in Yemen.

Grundberg's office said that the meeting "focused on the progress of the efforts to reach an agreement that addresses some of the deteriorating living conditions in Yemen, establishes a nationwide ceasefire, and paves the way for an inclusive intra-Yemeni political process under UN auspices."

This comes more than a year after the UN truce in Yemen ended last October without any renewal, and following months of bilateral Saudi-Houthi talks mediated by the Sultanate of Oman.

Saudi Defense Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said that he had discussed with the PLC today "cooperation and coordination regarding the road map between the Yemeni parties to end the crisis under the supervision of the United Nations."

According to the Saba News Agency, during the meeting with Grundberg, the PLC adhered to the UN Security Council resolutions regarding Yemen, foremost Resolution 2216, which condemns the Houthi coup and demands the handing over of weapons.

The PLC also met with the US Special Envoy to Yemen, Tim Lenderking.

The PLC discussed with Lenderking the situational developments in Gaza, and the rising tensions in the region due to the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian war, which is now in its 40th day.

The meeting also comes one day after the Houthis claimed responsibility for two attacks against the Israeli city of Eilat on the Red Sea within 24 hours, using missiles and drones.

Yesterday, the military spokesman for the Houthis announced that the Iranian-backed militia would target any Israeli ship crossing the Red Sea or Yemeni territorial waters.

Today, the US Navy shot down a drone over the Red Sea that had emanated from Yemen and appeared to be aimed at US destroyer USS Thomas Hudner, according to US News agency CBS News. Officials have not said whether the drone was armed, nor confirmed who was responsible for the launch. 

Saba reported that during the meeting with Lenderking, the PLC warned against the danger of the military escalation initiated by the Houthis on various fronts within Yemen.

A military government source had previously revealed to South24 Center that additional military reinforcements were sent by the Houthis to the western coast of Yemen in Hodeidah Governorate on Saturday.

The PLC-affiliated Joint Forces stated yesterday that they had thwarted movements of the Houthi militia in the Al-Kadha area, west of the city of Taiz.

This came in conjunction with clashes using various weapons on the Al-Fakher front, north of Al-Dhalea, according to a South24 Center correspondent.

The correspondent said that Southern forces in Al-Dhalea had thwarted an infiltration attempt by the Houthis. It also besieged a number of Houthi militants in the northern sector of the governorate for several hours.

The President of the Southern Transitional Council and PLC member, Aidrous Al-Zubaidi, arrived in Riyadh yesterday, days after the arrival of Rashad Al-Alimi.

The US State Department also announced yesterday that Lenderking will visit the Gulf region, amid warnings about the effects of the Houthis’ involvement in the war against Israel on the chances of peace in Yemen.