Yemen Conflict: Softening in relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia, first flight from Yemen after 7 years

Saudi Arabia opposed the capture of Yemen's capital Sanaa by pro-Iranian Huthi rebels. For this, Saudi Arabia had also carried out tremendous airstrikes on Yemen. Since then, there was bitterness in the relationship between the two.

Relations between Yemen and Saudi Arabia are now beginning to soften. On Saturday, after seven years, a commercial flight from Yemen took off for Saudi Arabia. More than 270 Muslim pilgrims were involved in this aircraft who have gone on Haj pilgrimage. The plane took off from the rebel-held capital Sanaa International Airport in Yemen at around 8 pm.

The flight was the first of five carrying Muslim pilgrims to Sana'a, said Khalid al-Shayef, Yemen airport chief. Right now four more flights are scheduled to fly. One flight each will leave for Saudi Arabia on Sunday and Monday. After this, there are two flight schedules on Wednesday as well.

Actually, Yemen's capital is under the control of Iran-backed Huthi rebels. The government that was ousted from power by Houthi rebels in 2014 was backed by Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia was not able to digest the matter of Huthi rebels occupying it. He carried out tremendous airstrikes in the area occupied by Houthi rebels in Yemen for the restoration of the government. Only after this the bitterness increased between the two. In 2016, Houthi rebels closed Sanaa airport.

Lakhs of people will gather in Saudi Arabia for Haj pilgrimage

Millions of Muslims around the world will begin to converge on Saudi Arabia's Mecca and holy sites around the city from next week for the multi-day hajj pilgrimage. The commencement of air service between Sana'a and Saudi Arabia gives a big indication of reducing the tension between the two.

In the last few months, Saudi Arabia and Iran have come to a table many times to reduce the tension between the two countries. Earlier this year, talks between the two countries gained momentum when Iran and Saudi Arabia, which have been at loggerheads for nearly seven years, signed an agreement to restore diplomatic ties.

Yemen on the brink of destruction after the attack

Tensions between Iran and Saudi Arabia have turned Yemen into a war and brought it to the brink of complete ruin. Yemen has already been counted among the poorest countries in the Arab world. In such a situation, he was pushed further back in the air strikes of Saudi Arabia. About 150,000 people including army personnel and civilians were killed in the war.