A government source informed "Barran Press" on Monday evening, December 16, 2024, that the Saudi capital, Riyadh, will host a meeting of the Presidential Leadership Council tomorrow, including the council's president and all members, to discuss efforts to end the war and establish peace in Yemen.

The source, who requested anonymity as they are not authorized to speak to the media, mentioned that another meeting will bring the council together with several Western ambassadors to discuss international community efforts to support the Yemeni government in resolving the crisis.

Regarding the agendas likely to be discussed in the two meetings, a second informed source told "Barran Press" that the recent moves are part of coordinating local and international efforts to respond to the intransigence of the Houthi group, globally classified as a terrorist organization. The source added that "the international and regional community has reached a dead end with the Houthis."

The source explained that this realization stems from the Houthi group's insistence on continuing to "play the role of Iran's proxy in the Red Sea and international waters."

New Developments

According to the source, the "significant" collapse of the Iranian axis and its proxies in the region has introduced new dynamics that have shifted the balance in the Middle East, particularly in the Yemeni and Iraqi files. These files are "candidates for upcoming serious escalation to remove Houthi control in Sanaa and Shiite faction control in Baghdad."

A third source suggested in an exclusive conversation with "Barran Press" that "significant movements in the Yemeni and Iraqi files are expected between the end of the Biden administration and the beginning of the Trump administration, expected to take office in late January."

The source said, "International and regional efforts on these two files are ongoing through various means," hinting at a possible repetition of the Syrian experience with the oppressive regime and its Iranian and Russian-backed militias.

Preparations

The source explained that the recent events in Syria were preceded by significant diplomatic and intelligence efforts. The main outcomes of these efforts included neutralizing allies like Russia and Iran and supporting military factions capable of invading provinces with advanced and unexpected military capabilities.

Additionally, the source mentioned "penetrating the enemy's hard power to neutralize it and inciting the population from within to support a carefully planned overthrow with minimal losses and sacrifices."

The source suggested that this military, intelligence, and diplomatic effort is nearing completion in the Yemeni arena, likely to be preceded and accompanied by aerial operations to destroy military capabilities and targeted strikes on key leaders under the pretext of deterring Houthi and Popular Mobilization Forces' aggressive actions in the Red Sea and preventing threats to international interests in the region.

Opportunity and Objective

Dr. Ali Al-Dhahab, a researcher specializing in military and strategic affairs, believes that the "Houthis still have an opportunity or will be given an opportunity by the international and regional community." He told "Barran Press" that "the Houthis will make concessions in exchange for a deal being prepared."

Ultimately, Al-Dhahab said, the Houthis "will abandon their commitments to the gains made by the other party."

Regarding the reasons for the deal and the Houthis' concessions, Al-Dhahab said, "They have become exposed, and there is a near abandonment of their hardline positions by their supporters, whether visible or hidden from regional countries."

He explained, "It seems that the ongoing cycle of violence is gaining priority in geography other than Yemen. We don't know where it will be; it could be in Lebanon, Iraq, or Libya again." He added that "Libya, in particular, is not linked to the Iranian axis but is part of redrawing the map of the Middle East."

Improving Position

Regarding the Houthi group's threats, Al-Dhahab said, "What the Houthis are doing now by issuing statements and fiery declarations is to improve their negotiating position as much as possible."

Al-Dhahab ruled out a military operation to eradicate the Houthi group but did not rule out an operation to "push them towards the highlands in the western coastal area."

This could happen, according to Al-Dhahab, "when the interests of the countries directing the war narrow, and when the cost of the Houthis' presence outweighs the benefits they provide to these countries."

Activity and Threats

Recently, the Saudi capital, Riyadh, has witnessed extensive diplomatic and political activity, including separate meetings between the President and members of the Presidential Leadership Council with the ambassadors of the United States, Britain, and France, and with the Joint Operations Commander of the Arab Coalition supporting the internationally recognized Yemeni government.

Meanwhile, the Houthi group has threatened to target American interests in the region in the event of any military escalation against them, acknowledging that the situation is dangerous.

The uncle of the Houthi group's leader and the group's Interior Minister, Abdul Karim Al-Houthi, said, "Yemen is going through a dangerous phase today that requires everyone to raise their level of vigilance and sense of responsibility to thwart the malicious conspiracies being plotted against it."

During his meeting with senior leaders in the group's unrecognized Interior Ministry, he emphasized "the need to implement instructions and directives to the fullest extent."