Saudi Arabia reaches out to Houthis through Oman for ceasefire, direct negotiations - report

Saudi Arabia has reportedly conveyed a proposal to the Houthis through Oman, offering a two-week ceasefire and direct talks. The report, from Hezbollah-affiliated Al Akhbar, says Riyadh aims to first address humanitarian demands and then reach a comprehensive agreement. The move comes amid Houthi escalation along the Red Sea coast and attacks inside Saudi Arabia.

Saudi Arabia has reportedly proposed a two-week ceasefire and direct negotiations with the Houthi leadership in Yemen, using Oman as an intermediary. The proposal, reported by the Hezbollah-affiliated Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, aims to first address the Houthis' humanitarian demands and then work toward a comprehensive agreement by the end of the truce period. The Saudi move follows a sharp escalation in fighting, with Houthi forces seizing strategic areas along the Red Sea coast and launching missile and drone attacks against targets inside Saudi Arabia, including civilian and economic facilities in Abha, Khamis Mushait, Jizan, and Najran. Riyadh stated that 73 civilians were injured in one attack wave. The proposal was formulated after Saudi contacts with the US, Egypt, Pakistan, and Oman. Separately, secret talks were held in Oman between US representatives and senior Houthi officials, where the Houthis said they would continue honoring a 2025 ceasefire with Washington and would not attack US vessels. The Houthis have not yet responded to the Saudi proposal and continue to demand a comprehensive settlement including an end to the war and lifting of the blockade. Saudi Arabia has not officially confirmed the details.