Attacks at the Saudi Border as Yemen Peace Talks Approach

The Saudi-led coalition states that armed forces loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh, the former president of Yemen, have attacked "several points" along the Saudi border. These tensions arise as the scheduled time for Yemen peace talks in Geneva approaches. The Houthi armed forces, who consider Saleh's armed supporters as their allies, have stated they will participate in the Geneva negotiations. The battles in Yemen, which intensified following the overthrow of President Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi's government by Houthi rebels and their allies, and subsequent airstrikes by the Saudi-led coalition against the Houthis, have claimed the lives of over 2,000 people so far. The Geneva peace talks, initially scheduled for June 14 (12 days from now), and with the Houthis also announcing their participation, are considered a significant first step towards establishing new peace in the country. The exiled Yemeni government, led by Hadi, who is currently in Riyadh, has also announced its participation in these discussions. The Saudi-led coalition announced early on Saturday, June 6, that attacks had been launched from Yemen to several points in Jazan and Najran along the Saudi border, which, according to the coalition, were repelled. According to a statement published by the official Saudi news agency, the attack was carried out with the support of the Houthis and by members of the Republican Guard, supporters of Ali Abdullah Saleh, and following several hours of fighting, "dozens" of attackers were killed. The Saudi-led coalition claims that four Saudis were also killed. It is unclear exactly how many of those who reportedly attacked the border have been killed. According to AFP, citing diplomats present at a Security Council meeting, the Geneva peace talks aim to reach an agreement on a ceasefire, a plan for the withdrawal of the Houthis, and an increase in humanitarian aid to the people of Yemen. The United States had previously confirmed that a government official from that country met with a representative of the Houthi rebels. The Houthis had previously refused to participate in negotiations in Riyadh. The rebels began their attacks last year and captured the presidential palace in Sana'a last December. Shortly thereafter, the country's president, Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi, resigned under their pressure. Meanwhile, the military and security committee of the four provinces of Aden, Abyan, Lahij, and Dhale, loyal to Mansur Hadi, stated that they no longer receive orders from Sana'a following the president's resignation. Hadi himself is from southern Yemen and went to Aden shortly after his resignation. However, the Houthis' advance continued towards Aden. Ultimately, Hadi sought refuge in Riyadh. In addition to airstrikes, armed forces loyal to the Houthis and their allies, as well as armed forces opposing them or supporters of Mansur Hadi, are also engaged in ground battles in the country. In this context, the UN is attempting to implement a renewed pause in the battles in Yemen.