Following a series of
meetings in Riyadh and Muscat with the Yemeni parties, including the President
of the Presidential Leadership Council, Rashad al Alimi, and the Houthis Group
known as "Ansar Allah" chief negotiator, Mohammed Abdul Salam. The UN
Secretary-General's Special Envoy for Yemen, Hans Grundberg, announced the
Yemeni parties' agreement to put forward a roadmap to support the peace process
to end the conflict in Yemen through the Yemeni parties' pledge to take a set
of measures to implement a ceasefire across the country and enhance living
conditions in Yemen.
اضافة اعلان
Among others, the UN
plan calls for payment for all public sector salaries, the resumption of oil
exports, the opening of highways in Taiz and other regions of Yemen, and the
removal of restrictions on Sana'a Airport and Al-Hudaydah Port. The roadmap will
also build implementation mechanisms and provide the groundwork for a
Yemeni-led political process under the auspices of the UN. As a result, this
deal serves as a light of optimism in a region suffering from conflict and
discord.
However, beyond its
immediate consequences for Yemen's future, this remarkable development has
far-reaching repercussions, particularly for the long-standing Saudi-Iranian
rivalry and regional security dynamics. The ongoing rivalries between Saudi
Arabia and Iran have long played a crucial role in shaping Middle Eastern
geopolitics. Their competition, which is frequently marked by proxy conflicts
and power struggles in the region and the Islamic world, has severe
consequences for regional security, particularly evident in the backdrop of the
conflicts in Syria and Yemen in particular.
“The Yemeni ceasefire agreement is an important step toward settling one of the region's longest conflicts”
Yemen's conflict has
served as a focal point for competition between Saudi Arabia and Iran, with
both states supporting opposing groups. Saudi Arabia has led an alliance in
support of Yemen's internationally recognized government, while Iran has
supported the Houthi rebels. The resolution of the Yemeni conflict may reduce
tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran and lead to more regional stability,
creating space for potential understanding and easing geopolitical rivalries,
albeit gradually.
The implications of
ending the conflict in Yemen on regional security cannot be overstated. Yemen's
prolonged conflict has been a source of regional instability, contributing to
humanitarian crises and escalating tensions among neighboring states. A sustainable
ceasefire and permanent resolution in the Yemeni conflict might reduce tensions
and build a more stable and secure environment in the region.
One immediate impact
of ending the conflict is the prospect of redirecting resources and focus away
from the Yemeni battleground toward other regional challenges. Both Saudi
Arabia and Iran have notably invested in the Yemeni conflict, consuming money,
attention, and diplomatic efforts from elsewhere. If the Yemeni conflict is
resolved, both states will be able to refocus their efforts on other regional
challenges and priorities.
Moreover, the end of
the Yemeni conflict could lead to a shift in the broader geopolitical
landscape. It may force a rethinking of Middle Eastern relationships and
geopolitical strategies. A de-escalation in Yemen might foster broader regional
engagement and collaboration, perhaps opening the path for diplomatic successes
in other conflicts and crises.
“If the Yemeni conflict is resolved, both [Iran and Saudi Arabia] will be able to refocus their efforts on other regional challenges and priorities”
Additionally, a
peaceful resolution in Yemen could reduce the humanitarian suffering of
millions of Yemenis. The end of hostilities and the setting up of a peace
roadmap provide optimism for the delivery of humanitarian supplies, access to
fundamental needs, and the reconstruction of infrastructure in a war-torn
state.
Despite the optimism
around the ceasefire agreement, challenges remain on Yemen's path to enduring
peace. The implementation of the ceasefire and associated plan will need
continued commitment from all parties involved. Ensuring compliance with
agreed-upon measures, overcoming possible spoilers, and resolving underlying
concerns will be critical to cementing the ceasefire and moving the peace
process forward.
Finally, the Yemeni
ceasefire agreement is an important step toward settling one of the region's
longest conflicts. Its impact on the Saudi-Iranian rivalry and regional
security dynamics could be transformative. While challenges remain, the
possibility for regional stability and collaboration is boosted by Yemeni
conflict resolution. It is critical that all parties should take this
opportunity, negotiate challenges, and strive toward a permanent and inclusive
peace for the stability and security of Yemen and the Middle East as a whole.
Rakan Nawaf Al-Ghaniem, Research Fellow at
the Arab Institute for Security Studies.
Disclaimer:
Views expressed by writers in this section are their own and do not necessarily reflect Jordan News' point of view.
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