Yemen’s Houthis Say They Seek a ‘Permanent Ceasefire’
AntiWarNov 22, 2022
The Facts
Yemen's Saudi-backed government and Iranian-backed Houthi rebels announced on Monday that they agreed to exchange some 880 detainees, including 15 Saudis and three Sudanese, after talks in Switzerland facilitated by the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
Under the agreement, the Houthis are expected to release 181 detainees, including Saudi and Sudanese nationals, in exchange for 706 prisoners held by the Yemeni government.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The Houthis have continued to threaten peace and security in Yemen since they launched their coup in 2014. However, through mediation and compromise, an agreement can be made if the Houthis and their Iranian backers are willing to compromise and allow the country to enjoy peace. Saudi Arabia is surely willing to compromise and, in fact, has always been willing to help bring peace to the impoverished Arab nation, but Iranian meddling has not helped the situation. Ultimately, the conflict can only end in a political settlement.
Establishment-critical narrative
It's the Yemeni government and its powerful Gulf allies who have obstructed peace in Yemen and continue to punish its citizens for standing up for themselves. But ultimately, a political process is likely the best way to end the war at this stage in the conflict. The Houthis have shown in the past that they are willing to take good-faith actions for peace, and releasing prisoners clearly demonstrates this desire. Hopefully, with good mediation, this war of aggression can finally come to an end.