Alwaght | News & Analysis Website

Alwaght- Recently, Saudi newspapers of Al-Hayat and Asharq Al-Awsat headquartered in London and Saudi-based Okaz newspapers have repeatedly requested Iran and especially Supreme Leader to contribute to solving Yemen conflict. Al-Hayat in a paper addressing Iran writes: "We and you only differ in some methods while we both are against Israel and consider it as Muslims' biggest enemy, so why should we focus on the differences?" Okaz newspaper also writes: "We can't achieve our goals through bloodshed. The continuation of war is not in favor of Iran or Saudi Arabia."



Saudi Arabia asks Iran to mediate in Yemen conflict while at the beginning of the war the then foreign minister of Saudi Arabia said that Yemen conflict is an Arabic issue that is not related to Iran. Other officials of Saudi Arabia also took a stance against Iran during the first weeks of the war. However, repeated use of phrases like "O the Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei" in the articles of Al-Hayat indicates that Saudi Arabia has reached a deadlock in this war and needs Iran to get out of this situation.



Knowing that this war has no result, Saudi Arabia has to find a way to put an end to it. Moreover, Saudi is seriously concerned about removal from the process of negotiations and replacement of Riyadh with Tehran. Some days ago US officials announced that Yemen negotiations would be transferred from Riyadh to Geneva.  Transfer of negotiations from Riyadh to anywhere else is contrary to the UN Security Council resolution 2216 and undermines the credibility of anti-Yemen resolutions particularly resolution 2216. This resolution strongly emphasizes on the pivotal role of the Persian Gulf Cooperation Council (PGCC) and Saudi Arabia. Saudi officials know that transfer of negotiations from Riyadh means the eclipse or marginalization of Saudi Arabia and the PGCC. Nevertheless, Saudi Arabia is ready to recognize Iran’s regional role provided that Iran accept Saudi’s role in the region. Al-Hayat in an article written by the editor published under the pseudonym Abdul Salaam writes: “Arabs cannot dominate Iran as Iran cannot bring Arab land under its domination.  Hence, Iran leaders should contribute to controlling tribal intrigues."



Ansarullah has supremacy in Yemen and has dominated the cities of Taiz, Aden and Marib in which Wahhabi/Muslim Brotherhood-affiliated group had a significant influence. Regarding the fact that at least 15 Yemeni parties are in coalition with Ansarullah which is supported by Yemeni army and most of Yemeni tribes, in the case of Yemeni-Yemeni negotiation, Saudi Arabia, the PGCC and the Arab League cannot have an effective role in the political process.



Although the internationalization of Yemen conflict violates the resolution 2216 and is in contrast with the regional goals of Saudi, but Saudi prefers to solve the issue through Yemeni-Yemeni negotiation.



There is serious doubt about internationalization of Yemen conflict due to Ansarullah and its allies reluctance to resolve the issue outside of Yemen. The history of international talks on Syria, Korea and Iran’s nuclear issue indicates that internationalization takes a very long time whereas Yemen needs a responsible government immediately.



Russia was perhaps the first country that put forward the international solution to the Yemen conflict. The Chinese believe that prolonging the process of this case in which US is involved is counted an important opportunity for Russia as its representative abstained from vetoing the resolution 2216.



However, since internationalization of Yemen conflict is not of the interest of the Yemeni people, they should prevent from it.



Turning this unequal war to a sacred defense, the intelligent people of Yemen are able to manage the political process within their country and form an efficient government.