US offers Yemen's Houthis 'incentives' in exchange for halting Red Sea attacks

BEIRUT — Several mediators have conveyed messages from the US to the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen, allegedly offering “incentives” including lifting the blockade of Sanaa and Hodeidah and speeding up peace talks, if the group halts its Red Sea attacks, sources told The National.

The Houthis have been launching attacks in the Red Sea since the beginning of Israel's conflict in Gaza, claiming solidarity with Palestinians and Hamas.

"In response to the Yemeni group's attempts to target Israeli ships, the US has not only resorted to military action but also sought to convey proposals that would incentivize the militants to stop their attacks,” a Yemeni political source said, according to The National. 

“Messages containing incentives were sent from the Americans to Sanaa in recent weeks. These messages were delivered through envoys and mediators, including western officials, with the Omani capital, Muscat, also playing a significant role."

US officials declined to comment on the alleged incentives, The National reported. 

A second Yemeni political source told The National that the US incentives offered to the Houthis “include measures to show Washington's good intentions, such as accelerating the Yemeni peace process, ending the war, and fully lifting the blockade” on Sanaa airport and the Houthi-controlled port of Hodeidah.

“Logically, these steps would require Washington to reconsider its designation of the Houthis as a terrorist organization and probably recognize its authority in some areas of Yemen."

The two sources declined to comment on how the Houthis have responded to the suggested incentives.

The Yemeni political sources also said that during "secret indirect talks" held with the Iranians in Oman about three months ago, there was an American effort to persuade Iran to help de-escalate the "Yemeni front."

“But the Iranian delegation informed them that the decision was up to Houthis and that the Americans must speak to them,” said one of the sources.

Barbara Leaf, US Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs, had acknowledged indirect discussions with the Houthis but noted a shift in tone since October when the group intensified its targeting of commercial shipping in the Red Sea.

"I wouldn't characterize our context as a robust discussion at this point but we are using all sorts of means, some diplomatic, some by shooting down missiles and UAVs, to discourage the Houthis from their ill-considered venture," Leaf said.  

Despite these efforts, the Houthis continue to be considered part of the Axis of Resistance, aligned with anti-western forces.