Houthis Demand $51 Billion, Recognition as Yemen’s Rulers To End Attacks on Saudi Arabia
By The Media Line Staff
Yemen’s Houthi rebels have demanded $51 billion in compensation and official Saudi recognition of their authority over Yemen as conditions for ending attacks against the kingdom, The Wall Street Journal reported.
The demands emerged after Saudi Arabia approached the Houthis to explore terms for ending the conflict following attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and the group’s capture of Mokha, a strategically important city near the Bab el Mandeb Strait.
According to the Journal, the Houthis are seeking financial payments to cover reconstruction costs and compensate for damage attributed to years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a prolonged blockade.
Beyond the financial settlement, the group wants Riyadh to formally acknowledge it as Yemen’s legitimate governing authority, a concession that would require Saudi Arabia to withdraw its support for the internationally recognized Yemeni government.
The negotiations also involve control of strategically important territory near the Bab el Mandeb Strait, where Houthi advances and attacks on commercial shipping have added to Saudi Arabia’s security concerns.
Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is reportedly unwilling to accept the proposed arrangement without first strengthening the kingdom’s military position against the Houthis.
Saudi officials are concerned that agreeing to the demands could encourage the rebels to seek additional payments and launch further attacks, according to the report.
However, the alternative of expanding Saudi military operations in Yemen carries significant risks for the kingdom. A large-scale ground offensive could result in substantial Saudi casualties and provoke domestic opposition, complicating Saudi Arabia’s efforts to establish a stronger negotiating position.
The crown prince is particularly concerned about the potential consequences of deploying additional Saudi troops into Yemen, where the kingdom has already suffered military losses during the conflict.
The Wall Street Journal reported that dozens of Saudi personnel have been killed in the war, although those casualties have not been publicly disclosed.
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