Saudis, Houthis Discussing Ceasefire in Yemen

According to Arab media, Saudi Arabia is engaged in negotiations with Iranian-aligned Houthi rebels on a potential ceasefire in Yemen. The talks were reportedly launched in Jordan at the end of September, shortly after the United Arab Emirates backed out of the Saudi-led coalition that has been fighting the Houthis since March 2015. The discussions are currently centered around the Houthis halting cross-border missile and drone attacks on Saudi assets in exchange for the Arab coalition ending air strikes in Yemen. An unnamed source said that efforts “on finalizing the security pact are moving very quickly now through a number of channels.” The war in Yemen has killed more than 100,000 people and pushed some 15 million to the brink of starvation.