It said flights for Yemeni civilians needing medical care abroad would be overseen by the World Health Organization. The coalition did not give a timeframe for either of the developments, but Riyadh appears keen to capitalise on diplomatic progress made in the past month both with the Houthis and in healing a recent rift between the Yemeni government and southern separatists.
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and western states selling weapons to the coalition have faced growing criticism over their roles in the stalemated war. Riyadh has become increasingly isolated in recent months. The UAE announced in July that its troops would withdraw from Yemen and in September a drone attack on an Aramco oil facility sparked fears that the proxy conflict could escalate on Saudi soil.
Using Omani mediators, Saudi Arabia opened a direct channel with the Houthis for the first time in late September. The initiatives coincided with a unilateral release of prisoners and offers of a ceasefire from the Houthis. The ceasefire has largely held up despite new fighting in the strategically important port city of Hodeidah this week. Meaningful progress with the Houthis is likely to prove much harder, however.
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