Sana’a delegation led by Ansarullah met with the Saudi defense minister, where did the Riyadh negotiations go?
At the end of last week, the National Salvation Government of Yemen, led by Muhammad Abd Salam, embarked on a visit to Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia, accompanied by an Omani mediation delegation. According to Saudi media reports, this delegation held a meeting with Saudi Defense Minister Khaled bin Salman in Riyadh.
Following this meeting, Abdul Salam posted on his social media account, expressing that “upon our delegation’s arrival in Riyadh, we engaged in intensive discussions with the Saudi side, facilitated by our brothers in the Sultanate of Oman.”
Khalid bin Salman emphasized that Saudi Arabia is keen on the success of the new negotiations, aiming for Yemeni parties to reach a unified stance and consensus.
Political analysts have noted that the statement from the Saudi defense minister indicates Riyadh’s desire to position itself as a mediator between Yemeni factions, akin to a parental figure fostering unity among children. However, the reality on the ground is more complex, as Riyadh has been a key player in the Yemeni conflict over the past eight years. Saudi Arabia’s involvement in the conflict with Ansarullah and the National Salvation Government based in Sana’a is viewed by many Yemenis as a root cause of the ongoing war. Yemeni protests against Riyadh’s role in negotiations underscore the deep-seated resentment and the consequences of this protracted conflict.
Political observers have highlighted the significance of the recent meeting between the National Salvation Government delegation, representing Ansarullah, and the Saudi delegation. While not the first of its kind, this trip to Riyadh and the public meeting with the Saudi Defense Minister were unprecedented. This development signals recognition by the National Salvation Government and the Ansarullah movement that Riyadh had considered the ousted and fugitive Yemeni government as the legitimate authority during the eight years of conflict. In essence, Riyadh justified its military intervention in Yemen under the pretext of supporting this government, which later sought refuge in Riyadh and remained confined to Saudi hotels.
Muhammad Abd al-Salam’s statements indicate that these negotiations are likely to continue, with a pressing need for the Yemeni delegation to engage in discussions with the leaders of the Yemeni revolution and the government in Sana’a. This is especially crucial since Riyadh appears to be attempting to evade its responsibilities based on previous ceasefire agreements.