Riyadh, November 6,2026: Saudi Arabia has categorically denied a report by The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) claiming that Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels demanded $51 billion from the kingdom in exchange for a negotiated halt to hostilities.
Saudi Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Ambassador Rayed Krimly rejected the reported demand, describing it as “pure fabrication by the writers or their alleged sources”.
In a post on X, Krimly accused the Houthis of turning against Yemen’s government, causing famine among the population and dragging the country into conflicts and agendas that did not serve its people.
He also accused the group of attacking commercial vessels in the Red Sea, targeting civilian and economic infrastructure, and rejecting peace efforts.
“We also remind the writers that Yemen has a recognised government,” the Saudi official said.
The WSJ report, citing people briefed on the discussions, said Saudi Arabia had approached the Houthis to explore a negotiated end to hostilities following attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and the group’s seizure of territory overlooking the strategic Bab al-Mandeb chokepoint.
According to the report, the Houthis sought $51 billion to compensate for years of Saudi airstrikes and a prolonged blockade. Other financial figures were also discussed, the sources cited by the newspaper said.
The report further claimed that the group wanted Saudi Arabia to formally recognise it as Yemen’s governing authority.
The report and Saudi Arabia’s denial come amid renewed hostilities between Riyadh and the Houthis, linked to the wider Middle East conflict.
The regional escalation began on February 28, when the United States and Israel launched attacks on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with strikes across the region.
In July, the Houthis reportedly allowed an Iranian aircraft to land in defiance of Saudi control over Yemeni airspace, triggering a fresh escalation in Yemen. The Yemeni government retaliated by striking the airport, and subsequent exchanges undermined the 2022 truce in the country’s long-running civil war.
Since then, the Houthis have declared a maritime blockade of Saudi Arabia and carried out attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and targets inside Saudi territory.
