Why Saudi Arabia has given a new peace initiative to end Yemen conflict
Yemen, a tiny state on the Arabian Peninsula, has been a place of grave civilian suffering amid an obstinate civil war. In 2014 when the Houthi rebels took control of the western part of the state in order to protest against the corrupt activities of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s rule the Saudi-led coalition of Arab states launched a military operation to restore President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi’s rule, as a result of which the Yemen conflict begun.
As the new president Mr. hadi was engaged in facing a lot of problems including corruption, unemployment, outbreaks by jihadist and separatist in the southern part of the state and the enduring loyalty of security personnel to Saleh (the ex president of Yemen).
The Houthi movement also recognized as Ansar Allah, which includes the Yemen’s Zaidi Shia Muslim minority took benefit of Mr. Hadi’s weakness and took control of their northern heartland of Saana province and neighboring areas. Disappointed with the current developments Sunnis also came forward to back the Houthis.In the start of 2015 the rebels progressively took control of the capital Sanaa. Alarmed by the rise of a group they believed to be backed militarily by regional Shia power Iran. Saudi Arabia and GCC states began an operation decisive storm intended at beating the Houthis alongside wanting to culminate the Iranian influence in Yemen and restoring Mr. Hadi’s government. KSA also gained logistical and intelligence support from the major states in international arena including United States, United Kingdom and France. This conflict is extensively viewed as a proxy war between Saudi Arabia and Iran, for advancing their regional aims particularly because Yemen is strategically important as it is situated on the strait of Bab-el- Mandeb connecting the Red Sea with the Gulf of Aden, through which much of the world’s oil shipments pass. In return this six years long war between two regional competitors left about 80% of Yemen’s population reliant on aid.
Recently The kingdom of Saudi Arabia has putted forward the new peace plan on march 22nd,2021 to bring to an end the six years long war in Yemen between the internationally-recognized Yemeni government backed by KSA and other international powers and the Iran-backed Houthis militia.
This peace plan constitutes the nationwide ceasefire executed under the strict observation of United Nations, the reviving of important air and sea links especially the reopening of Sanaa international airport, permitting fuel and food imports through Hodeidah port, which are under control of the Iran backed Houthis and the start of political negotiations between the Yemini government and the Houthis.
This new peace plan has been putted forward by KSA because it has failed to achieve its desired objectives in Yemen which includes restoration of president Hadi’s government, and limiting the Iranian influence.
Alongside this United States has also increased its pressure towards Saudi Arabia’s role in the conflict, which has apparently compelled KSA to concede. In the wake of this pressure Joe Biden announced that “The war in Yemen must end, and also that the United States would stop the supply of relevant arms to Saudi Arabia and also US would not engage in any sort of offensive operations. However countries including United Kingdom and Germany has already suspended the arms sale to Saudi Arabia. Such statements by new US president exhibits a pledge to end Yemen’s deadly war. Halting the arms sale won’t end this destructive war but it would compel the Saudi led coalitions to disengage themselves from this quagmire.
Thirdly due to the intervention of Saudi led coalition in Yemen the national security of KSA has also been on risk. Houthis have also warned to take over the control of Medina and Mecca, two Muslim holy cities located in Saudi Arabia. Since 2019, the Houthis have increased their attacks on Saudi territory. So in order to protect their national security the only option left for Saudis is to go for a peace deal.
In reality, Saudi Arabia’s intervention in Yemen has failed. Almost six long years after the launch of operation decisive storm which was intended to be a quick military operation, failed badly in fact the reverse has been done. The Houthis are fiercer and stronger than ever; Iran’s impact has only increased in the state; al-Qaeda terrorists remain a major threat and Yemenis are experiencing the worst humanitarian situation in the world; refugees have surged into Saudi territory and neighboring Oman causing severe economical crisis. So the only suitable option for leaving Yemen with the head held high, and without confessing their defeat in the Yemen conflict is through reaching certain type of compromise which is being reflecting in the form of new peace deal. Due to all these reasons Saudi Arabia has been keen to exit Yemen at any cost at this point as the costs of the war in terms of both finances and lives has become horrendous on the KSA in the midst of oil-price and COVID-19 caused economic crisis.
