Riyadh denies group sought compensation, formal recognition as Yemen’s rulers in exchange for peace
Houthi supporters carry weapons as they gather in solidarity with the movement as fighting intensifies across several fronts, in Sanaa, Yemen, October 7, 2026. PHOTO: REUTERS
Saudi Arabia has categorically rejected a Wall Street Journal report claiming that Yemen’s Houthis demanded $51 billion in compensation and official recognition of their authority over Yemen in exchange for ending hostilities with the kingdom.
The denial followed a report by the US newspaper that Riyadh had approached the Houthis to explore the possibility of negotiating an end to the renewed conflict.
Citing people briefed on the discussions, the WSJ reported that the group had responded by demanding $51 billion, allegedly as compensation for years of Saudi military strikes and a prolonged blockade. “The answer it got back: $51 billion,” the newspaper reported.
The WSJ further reported that the Houthis had sought formal Saudi recognition of their authority over Yemen, a condition that would effectively require Riyadh to accept the Iran-backed group as the governing power in its neighbouring country.
However, Saudi Arabia’s Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Rayed Krimly rejected the reported demands, describing the claims as fabricated in a post on X.
“I categorically deny the claims published by The Wall Street Journal regarding demands made by this militia. All of this is pure fabrication by the writers or their alleged sources,” Krimly said.
I categorically deny the claims published by The Wall Street Journal regarding demands made by this militia. All of this is pure fabrication by the writers or their alleged sources. These militias turned against the Yemeni government, caused famine among the Yemeni people, and…
— AMB Dr. Rayed Krimly (@Rayedkrimly) November 5, 2026
In his post, he accused the Houthis of turning against Yemen’s internationally recognised government, causing famine among the Yemeni people and dragging the country into conflicts and agendas that did not serve its interests.
He also accused the group of attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea, targeting civilian and economic infrastructure, and rejecting peace initiatives. Krimly stressed that Yemen already had an internationally recognised government.
The report and Saudi Arabia’s denial come amid renewed hostilities between the kingdom and the Houthis, further complicating prospects for a negotiated settlement in Yemen.
Yemen has been engulfed in civil war since the Houthis seized the capital, Sanaa, and other areas in September 2014. The Saudi-led coalition has supported Yemen’s internationally recognised government since March 2015.
Fighting has intensified in recent weeks, with the Houthis launching repeated missile and drone attacks on Saudi territory.
