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Mustn’t jinx anything by talking about it too loudly. But for the first time in years, Yemen – scene of one of the cruelest conflicts and humanitarian tragedies in recent decades – offers some real grounds for hope.

Despite relative quiet on the front lines and negotiations between the Saudis and the Houthis, Giorgio Cafiero explains why peace isn’t a given.

The leader seen as integral to solving Yemen’s nine-year civil war has said the west has to accept a new reality in which Yemen’s north is controlled by the Houthis and the south is run by his separatist Southern Transitional Council.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday heard calls for increased efforts to achieve a more durable and sustainable truce in Yemen that can help bring an end to the conflict and alleviate the humanitarian suffering in the country.

Warring parties in Yemen are “serious” about ending a devastating eight-year-old conflict but it is impossible to predict when direct talks, much less a breakthrough, might happen, Saudi Arabia’s envoy told AFP.

American officials are cautiously optimistic about the chances of establishing a durable peace process in Yemen but remain concerned about Iran’s role in fueling the violence in the country, despite its recent agreement to restore diplomatic relations with Saudi Arabia.

Before a Chinese-brokered Saudi-Iran détente accelerated ceasefire talks, U.S. intelligence reported Saudi Arabia and the Houthis were gearing up for brinksmanship.

Throughout eight years of war in Yemen, the scene that unfolded a week ago appeared unthinkable: A senior official from Saudi Arabia arriving in the capital, Sanaa, to publicly shake hands, smile, and negotiate with sworn enemies – the Iran-backed Houthi rebels who control the capital and the northwest of the country.