According to the Yemeni delegation, the talks were focused on critical issues related to payment of salaries, lifting of the blockade, and withdrawal of foreign troops. The Saudi-led international coalition continues to maintain a devastating blockade on Houthi-controlled regions

The peace talks had been suspended in July after the two sides could not reach an agreement on a number of economic and humanitarian issues

The Oman-mediated peace talks to end the nine-year-old war in Yemen received a boost after China brokered a rapprochement between Iran and Saudi Arabia last month. Media reports say Saudi Arabia and the Houthis agreed on the draft of a ceasefire agreement last month, which lays out the plan for a more detailed negotiation

The breakthrough, which is reportedly a result of Omani mediation, comes even as the Houthis and forces of Saudi-backed Abdrabbuh Mansur Hadi continue fighting over the Marib province

The country is pursuing a gradual “Omanization” of jobs, replacing foreign workers with citizens, citing rising domestic unemployment and slowing of economic growth