The Wall Street Journal reports that after Houthi attacks on Saudi oil tankers
in the Red Sea and seizure of the Bab al-Mandeb choke point, Riyadh opened
contact to learn what price would end hostilities. The Houthis initially
demanded $51 billion, saying it would compensate for years of Saudi air strikes
and blockade; negotiators later floated other sums but signaled any Saudi exit
could cost hundreds of billions. They also sought formal Saudi recognition of
Houthi rule in Yemen, which would effectively force Riyadh to accept an
Iran-armed hostile force on its southern border. Saudi and Houthi leaders did
not respond to requests for comment.
