Yemen’s warring factions set to meet in Sweden for peace talks
CAIRO: Yemen’s warring parties will meet in Sweden this week for another attempt at talks aimed at halting the catastrophic war, but there are few incentives for major compromises, and the focus is likely to be on firming up a shaky de-escalation.
UN officials say they don’t expect rapid progress toward a political settlement but hope for at least minor steps that would help to address Yemen’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
Both the internationally-recognised government, which is backed by a US-sponsored and Saudi-led coalition, and the Iranaligned Houthi rebels say they are striving for peace.
A Houthi delegation arrived in Stockholm late on Tuesday, accompanied by UN envoy Martin Griffiths. The government delegation and the head of the rebel delegation were heading to Sweden on Wednesday.
Confidence-building measures before the talks included a prisoner swap and the evacuation of wounded rebels for medical treatment.
The release of funds from abroad by Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi to pay state employees in rebelheld territory is also in the works.
Yemeni scholar Hisham al-Omeisy, who has written extensively about the conflict, said the talks would focus on “de-escalation and starting the political process”.
“It’s not much, but given the humanitarian situation and toxic political atmosphere currently prevalent in Yemen, it’s better than nothing,” the expert said.