Yemen southern leaders say ‘bad’ peace deal cannot be imposed

Leaders seeking south Yemen's independence say they have been sidelined from talks between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels

Leaders of the Southern Yemen independence movement said they have been sidelined from the critical talks held in Riyadh between Saudi Arabia and Houthi rebels on the future of Yemen. They warned any peace deal cannot be imposed upon the south, saying possible Iranian control of the strategic Bab el-Mandeb waterways was at stake.

After an unprecedented five days of meetings with the Saudi defence minister, Khalid bin Salman, Houthi leaders returned on Tuesday to their capital Sana'a saying the talks were positive. It was the first official meeting between the Saudis and Houthi rebels since the Saudi military intervention in 2015 and reflects Saudi Arabia's determination to end the conflict.