Riyadh has reportedly offered Houthi rebels USD 1 billion through an Iran-mediated proposal to secure a ceasefire and halt attacks on its critical infrastructure, although the alleged offer remains unconfirmed.
Saudi Defence Minister Prince Khalid bin Salman travelled to Tehran to discuss the funds to negotiate the ceasefire settlement, a report published in Israel Hayom.
The funding is linked to an earlier understanding under which Saudi Arabia would help fund salaries for public-sector employees and rebuild civilian infrastructure under Houthi control.
“The visit to Tehran by the defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, and representatives of the Mecca Pact signatories comes as part of the alliance’s ongoing efforts to de-escalate tensions between the parties to the current crisis, an official statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry.
To encourage dialogue, diplomatic solutions, and support the mediation efforts undertaken by the State of Qatar and the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, it added.
The visit was reportedly arranged by Pakistan and Turkey.
Turkish intelligence chief Ibrahim Kalin and Pakistan’s Army Chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, with Iranian officials including President Masoud Pezeshkian, Supreme National Security Council Secretary General Mohsen Rezaei and senior officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps were present at the meeting.
In recent months, the Houthis have targeted Saudi Arabia’s infrastructure during attacks.
On Tuesday, the Houthis took responsibility for the attacks at the Abha International Airport and the Saudi Ministry.
Recently, the Houthis justified the attacks based on failed agreements, but Saudi Arabia reportedly maintains that the kingdom will not agree to a ceasefire under “military blackmail”.
It was also reported that Riyadh disagreed with transferring funds before returning seized territory to the Yemeni government.
Saudi Arabia also signed the Mecca Defence Alliance in August during regional and economic instability that was caused by the war on Iran.
Iranian attacks on tankers passing through the Strait of Hormuz have caused interference with Saudi oil exports.
In March 2015, Riyadh led a military coalition against Houthis in support of the former Yemeni President before it collapsed under the rebels.
The kingdom wants to prevent the Iran-backed militant group from gaining power.
The money transfer has not been confirmed, so the alleged funding remains unofficial.
Is this a call for peace, or is the war getting too costly to sustain?
