Omani officials in Sanaa for ceasefire talks

Omani officials arrived in Sanaa on Saturday for talks with Houthi rebels as part of international efforts to end Yemen’s years-long conflict. The visit is part of efforts to renew a ceasefire deal that expired in October.

Earlier on Saturday, Saudi Arabia released over a dozen Houthis war prisoners as part of a UN-brokered deal. Oman has for years hosted talks between the Iranian-backed Houthis and Saudi Arabia. The Iran-Saudi deal, announced in Beijing on March 10, has invigorated hopes of a settlement to Yemen’s conflict.