Saudi Arabia Uses Oman to Negotiate with Houthi Militants

The Government of Saudi Arabia is pursuing behind-the-scenes diplomacy via Omani mediators to prevent the escalation of conflict with Houthi militants. This diplomatic push follows a July 20 announcement by the Houthis to blockade Saudi ports, which was followed by missile and drone attacks on Saudi Aramco facilities in Jizan and Yanbu.

Riyadh is attempting to protect its oil industry and Red Sea ports, particularly as the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has contributed to a 4.8% year-on-year shrinkage of the Saudi economy in the second quarter. The Houthi militants are demanding economic concessions, including the payment of salaries for Yemeni civil servants and the removal of restrictions on goods and people entering Houthi-run areas.

While the Federal government of the United States has privately discouraged a major Saudi military retaliation to avoid further disrupting global energy markets and the Bab el-Mandeb strait, Saudi Arabia continues to prepare military options if diplomacy fails.