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Yemen's Iran-backed Houthis have demanded $51 billion in compensation and formal recognition as the country's rulers in exchange for ending their conflict with Saudi Arabia. This demand was made public after Saudi Arabia reached out to the Houthis to explore a negotiated end to the war, following attacks on Saudi oil tankers in the Red Sea and the group's seizure of strategic territory near the Bab Al Mandab Strait.

The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday that the Houthis are seeking this substantial sum as reparation for years of Saudi-led airstrikes and a prolonged blockade imposed on Yemen. While the exact amount has varied, any financial deal could still reach tens of billions of dollars. However, the financial demand is just one aspect of Riyadh's predicament.

The Houthis are also insisting on Saudi Arabia acknowledging them as the legitimate rulers of Yemen, a concession that would likely weaken the internationally recognized government supported by Saudi Arabia and bolster an Iran-aligned movement along the kingdom's southern border. Despite these demands, no agreement has been reached, and Riyadh has not publicly accepted either proposal.

Recent security threats from the Houthis have further complicated the situation. Saudi Arabia intercepted and destroyed a missile fired at Medina, a city housing Islam's second-holiest site. They also warned of potential attacks on Yanbu, the kingdom's main Red Sea oil export port. Reports of a Houthi strike on Riyadh's international airport, allegedly during a visit by Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa, were unconfirmed.

These attacks highlight the expanding reach of the Houthis, who have recently targeted Saudi energy infrastructure, airports, and strategic facilities. The Houthis' demands stem from the belief that they are entitled to compensation for the damages caused by Saudi military operations and the blockade imposed during the conflict, which began in 2015 when Saudi Arabia intervened to support the internationally recognized government against the advancing Houthi movement.

Although the fighting has recently intensified, there have been periods of relative calm between the two sides. The Houthis have also expanded their control, approaching the city of Aden, which houses Yemen's internationally recognized government. The group's control of areas overlooking the Bab Al Mandab Strait, a critical shipping route connecting the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, adds another layer of strategic importance to their demands.

While agreeing to a financial settlement could potentially reduce attacks on Saudi territory, critics warn that it could also encourage further pressure from the Houthis. Maged Al Madhaji, co-founder of the Sana'a Center for Strategic Studies, cautioned that accepting such demands could set a dangerous precedent, as the group might use military escalation to secure additional concessions or payments.

Furthermore, Riyadh must consider the political ramifications of recognizing the Houthis as Yemen's rulers, as it would challenge the internationally recognized government and pose long-term security risks. The Saudi-Houthi conflict has seen several major developments, with the most recent involving military threats and escalations.

Saudi Arabia has sought military assistance from regional and international partners, including Egypt and Turkey, but has faced limited support. The United States has declined to engage directly in the conflict. Iran has also been drawn into the dispute, with its Foreign Ministry rejecting criticism from the European Union regarding its support for the Houthis.