Saudi Arabia has dismissed a report claiming Yemen's Houthi rebels demanded $51 billion and official recognition as the country's rulers in exchange for ending hostilities with the kingdom, with a senior Saudi official branding the claims fabricated. Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Rayed Krimly rejected the claims regarding demands made by the militia, describing them as "pure fabrication by the writers or their alleged sources".
In a post on X, Krimly accused the Houthis of turning against Yemen's government, causing famine among its people and dragging the country into conflicts and agendas that did not serve Yemen or its population. He also accused the militia of attacking commercial vessels in Red Sea waterways, civilian and economic targets, and rejecting all peace efforts.
"We also remind the writers that Yemen has a recognised government," the Saudi official said. The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) report, citing people briefed on the discussions, said Saudi Arabia had approached the Houthis to explore the possibility of a negotiated halt to hostilities after the group attacked Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and seized territory commanding the strategic Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.
According to the report, the Houthis sought $51 billion to cover the cost of years of Saudi strikes and a long blockade. Other figures had also come up during the discussions, the people cited in the report said.
The report further claimed that the group wanted Saudi Arabia to officially recognise it as the ruler of Yemen. The WSJ report and the Saudi denial come amid renewed hostilities between Riyadh and the Houthis, linked to the wider Middle East conflict.
The conflict erupted on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes across the region. In July, the Houthis triggered a return to hostilities in Yemen by allowing an Iranian plane to land in defiance of Saudi control of Yemeni airspace.
The Yemeni government retaliated by striking the airport, with subsequent exchanges unravelling a 2022 truce in the country's long-running civil war. Since then, the Houthis have declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia, attacking its tankers in the Red Sea as well as Saudi territory.
International observers remain concerned that the escalation could further destabilize the region, which is already grappling with the fallout of the broader Iran-Israel tensions. Diplomatic channels are currently strained as both sides trade accusations of violating sovereignty and international maritime laws.
The Saudi government maintains that its primary objective remains the restoration of stability in Yemen under the internationally recognized administration. Riyadh has consistently called for a political solution that adheres to UN resolutions, rejecting any legitimacy for the Houthi militia's unilateral actions.
As the situation develops, the global community is closely monitoring the Red Sea shipping lanes, which are vital for energy supplies and global trade. Any prolonged disruption in these waters is expected to have significant economic repercussions for the international market.