Saudis could seek Russian bailout in Yemen
Saudi Arabia is eager to put an end to the Yemeni conflict, and Russian mediation is looking like its best option.
Saudi King Salman bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud’s Oct. 4-5 visit to Moscow ignited new speculation over Russia’s growing role in the Middle East: this time, in Yemen.
Moscow has been involved on multiple levels in the Syrian conflict, has been active in the Libyan settlement and has taken what looks like a pragmatic stance regarding regional spats, including the latest between Qatar and Saudi Arabia. Yemen, however — though it does register on Moscow’s diplomatic radar — has not so far warranted proactive Russian efforts.
Salman’s visit to Moscow could kick-start Russian mediation efforts to reconcile Yemeni differences, potentially in a way that benefits Saudi Arabia over Iran — the Saudis’ bitter enemy and rival proxy in Yemen’s civil war.
Iran backs a coalition formed by Yemen’s Houthi Shiites (Ansar Allah) and loyalists (the General People’s Congress) of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Saudi Arabia backs the other side, the government of Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is widely referred to as the “internationally recognized but domestically opposed” current president.
