The UN announcement of the Yemeni parties' commitment to implement a nationwide ceasefire has prompted differing reactions from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The conflicting stances of the two Gulf states on this announcement have been the latest demonstration of their magnifying rifts in Yemen.
On Saturday, the UN special envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, said the Yemeni government and the Houthi group have both committed to steps towards a ceasefire. Grundberg said in a statement issued he "welcomes the parties' commitment to a set of measures to implement a nationwide ceasefire, improve living conditions in Yemen, and engage in preparations for the resumption of an inclusive political process under UN auspices."
Saudi Arabia welcomed the statement of the UN envoy to Yemen and expressed its encouragement of the Yemeni dialogue. The Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement it "reiterates the Kingdom's continued support for Yemen and its people, and its constant keenness to encourage the Yemeni parties to sit at the dialogue table to reach a comprehensive and lasting political solution under the auspices of the United Nations."
Unlike Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates is frustrated with the peace agreement that Saudi Arabia is seeking to reach with the Houthis in Yemen, a Gulf diplomat told Sheba Intelligence after the announcement of the UN envoy's statement.
According to the diplomat, the UAE sent a letter to the offices of the UN and American envoys and the Omani mediator stating, "The Houthis cannot obtain a peace agreement while their attacks are not being discussed. The Houthis want to stop foreign intervention in Yemen at a time when their naval operations are attracting Western intervention in their country and the region."
Saudi Arabia and the UAE led a military coalition in Yemen in 2015 at the request of Yemen's UN-recognized political leadership to incapacitate the Houthis and restore the Yemeni government to Sanaa. However, the coalition failed to realize that objective amid the divergent agenda of the two Gulf states. In April 2022, the coalition's military operations stopped as part of the UN-sponsored truce.
Since last year, Saudi Arabia has been earnest in reaching a deal with the Houthis and exiting the war. However, the Saudi exit will not end the internal conflicts in Yemen.
The Yemeni politician who defected from the Houthi group, Ali Al-Bukhaiti, said, "The agreement announced by the UN envoy between the Yemeni parties consolidates the reality on the ground. The Houthis have their ministate in Sanaa and the areas under their control …and the other parties have their ministates."
According to Al-Bukhaiti, the Houthi accept such a statement by the UN envoy to gradually legitimize their presence and gain more time to complete their project and seize other territories that are not under their control.
