SANAA, Yemen (AA) – An Omani delegation arrived in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, on Wednesday for talks with Houthi rebel leaders, according to local media.
The delegation’s discussions will focus on developments of the Yemeni crisis, the Houthi-run Al-Masirah television reported.
Rebel negotiator Mohammed Abdul-Salam accompanied the delegation upon arrival from Muscat, the broadcaster said, without giving further details.
Wednesday’s visit comes amid a rebel military escalation in Yemen amid a deadlock in efforts to renew a UN-brokered truce, which expired last October.
There was no confirmation of the visit from the Omani authorities.
Oman is leading diplomatic efforts to bridge the gap between the Yemeni government and Houthi rebels as the Sultanate enjoys good ties with the two warring rivals.
Yemen has been beset by violence and chaos since 2014, when Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including Sanaa. The crisis escalated in 2015 when a Saudi-led coalition launched a devastating air campaign aimed at rolling back Houthi territorial gains.
*Ikram Imane Kouachi contributed to this report