Saudi Arabia Reportedly Asked The Houthis What They Wanted to Stop the War. They Said Tens of Billions.

Saudi Arabia asked Yemen’s Houthi rebels what they would want to end hostilities as the Iran-backed group continues to make gains and Riyadh takes hits to its infrastructure.

The Houthis said they want $51 billion to cover the cost of years of war and a lengthy blockade, The Wall Street Journal noted, citing people briefed on the matter. They also want to be deemed as the rightful rulers of Yemen instead of the current government recognized by most of the international community.

However, Riyadh is concerned that complying could invite further attacks in the future, as well as more financial demands. Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman wants to achieve some military gains first, but is also concerned that a scenario involving ground troops could be met with backlash and heavy losses.

The talks were reported as the Houthis kept making key territorial gains, with the latest report noting they are now within 50 miles of Aden, the temporary capital of the internationally-recognized government.

Reuters detailed that the development means the Houthis are now closer to Aden than they were since 2015, when they briefly entered the city before being driven out. It threatens positions linking the capital with the city of Taiz, a key corridor for the southwest region of the country.

The outlet went on to say that fighting continued on Monday after the Houthis took the Al-Maqatirah district days ago.

Saudi Arabia has been helping the government fight the Houthis, but so far they have not made clear gains. Different countries are taking steps toward sending military aid to Riyadh to defend its country. Egypt became the latest one to do so when the country’s parliament last Monday authorized the military to send aid to Riyadh. Cairo’s involvement would be limited to defending the country’s territory, according to President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi.

The decision came just days after Turkey said it would seek parliamentary approval to send military personnel to the country as part of its newly-signed defense pact with Riyadh and Islamabad.

The country submitted the Mecca Joint Defence Agreement to parliament last week. Ankara also signed an agreement with Qatar, Pakistan and Indonesia to boost defense cooperation and defensive capabilities. It is called the “Badr Memorandum of Understanding.”

Turkey’s initiative comes shortly after the UK increased the amount of military support sent to Riyadh. London noted that it will send fighter jets to perform defensive operations, also providing refueling support on actions that include strikes against Houthi targets.

Saudi Arabia is also taking steps of its own. Reuters reported last week that Riyhad appears to be expanding a ballistic missile factory in a move that could allow the kingdom to produce weapons capable of traveling farther or carrying heavier payloads.