By Aziz El Yaakoubi

RIYADH, (Reuters) – Two Gulf officials said that the Saudi-based Gulf Cooperation Council is looking at inviting the Houthi movement as well as other Yemeni parties to Riyadh for consultations this month in support of U.N.-led peace initiatives.

Official invitations will be sent in the next few days to the Houthis, an Iran-aligned coalition, and the Saudi Arabian led Coalition for talks about military, political, and economic aspects. The officials declined to identify themselves ahead of the official announcement. This conflict is entering its eighth anniversary on Tuesday.

According to them, Houthi officials will be invited by GCC Secretary General Nayef Malak Mubarak Al Hajraf to Riyadh Headquarters. He would also provide security guarantees for any group that accepts the invitation. The talks are scheduled from March 29 through April 7.

Although it was unclear whether Houthi officials would travel to Saudi Arabia with the internationally acknowledged government of Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi (who was forced from Sanaa by the movement in 2014), it was not immediately clear. Houthis claim they fight corruption and foreign aggression.

GCC member Oman (where some Houthi leaders are located) and Kuwait (which hosted previously peace talks in 2015), would provide a better ground for consultations.

According to officials, Hadi who was located in Riyadh had already agreed to these talks.

Riyadh struggled to escape the war which left Yemen in famine and has claimed the lives of many thousands. This conflict is seen largely as a proxy war between Saudi Arabian and Iranian. It has caused friction between Washington and Riyadh.

Russia’s invading of Ukraine has given Yemen the upper hand. The GCC initiative will be held ahead of an international donor conference scheduled for March 16. A special United Nations envoy was sent to Yemen by Russia last week. He held negotiations with Yemeni political parties, in an effort to create a platform for inclusive political negotiation.

Last year’s attempts by the United States of America and United Nations to end the conflict were unsuccessful. Violence has increased.

The Houthis fight coalition forces still on the ground in Marib (energy-producing Marib), the government’s last stronghold of North Yemen.

Saudi Arabia and UAE are seeking new support from the United States for the Yemen War, which includes more weapons. This is after the Biden Administration last year stopped support for offensive Coalition operations, and lifted a terror designation for the Houthi Group amid humanitarian concerns.