Saudi official calls WSJ report on Houthi demands baseless

Saudi Arabia has dismissed a report by The Wall Street Journal in which it was claimed that Yemen’s Houthi rebels had demanded $51 billion and a formal declaration that they are the legitimate rulers of the nation in return for ending their fight.

Rayed Krimly, deputy minister for public diplomacy at the Saudi Foreign Ministry, said the allegations were false in a post on X on Thursday, which he said were false and fabricated by the writers of the newspaper or their sources.

According to the Wall Street Journal, which said it spoke to people familiar with the negotiations, the Houthis demanded the money as payment for years of air strikes and a blockade by Riyadh. The Houthis also wanted Riyadh to acknowledge their authority in Yemen.

Krimly said the Houthis had revolted against the internationally recognised government of Yemen, exacerbated food shortages and embroiled the nation in conflicts that did not benefit its people.

Furthermore he alleged that the group had targeted commercial shipping in the Red Sea and civilian and economic sites while turning its back on peace.

He said that Yemen already had a government that was recognised internationally.