Manama: A two-week long ceasefire announced by the Saudi-lead Arab coalition forces fighting Yemen's Iran-aligned Houthis came into effect on Thursday, according to the state run Saudi Press Agency (SPA).
The Arab coalition has said earlier on Thursday that it was halting military operations in Yemen in support of UN efforts to end the war. The ceasefire by the Arab alliance took hold at 12pm local time (09:00 GMT), SPA quoted coalition spokesperson Col. Turki al-Malki as saying. The ceasefire is open to extension and would pave the way for talks between the official government in Aden, and Iran-backed Houthi militias based in the Yemeni capital of Sanaa, SPA said.
The announcement came days after the UN called for a halt in clashes amid the coronavirus pandemic. It was also intended to give the Houthis an opportunity to join UN-sponsored talks on a settlement. Interestingly, Yemen is one of the few countries in the world yet to have a confirmed case of Covid-19.
The announcement is the first major breakthrough since the UN summoned the warring parties in late 2018 in Sweden, where they signed a ceasefire in the Red Sea port city of Hodeidah.
Adel al-Jubeir, Saudi Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, said on Thursday that the temporary ceasefire is expected to establish a comprehensive and permanent ceasefire in Yemen. He added that Saudi Arabia will contribute $500 million dollar to UN-led humanitarian aid in Yemen. In addition, $25 million will be provided for coronavirus prevention across the county.
In recent weeks, UN special envoy Martin Griffiths has stepped up efforts to bring ceasefire in Yemen.
The UN welcomed coalitions force announcement while the Houthi militia said it would not be pursued it unless the year-long sanctions were withdrawn.
Meanwhile, Yemen accused Houthi rebels on Thursday of breaching a newly announced cease-fire.
Moammar al-Eryani, Yemeni's Minister of Information, said that the Houthi militia is responding to the calls for cease-fire made by the Arab Coalition with shelling residential areas in Marib and Al-Hodaydah provinces.
Martin Griffiths said that he was grateful to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the Arab Coalition for recognizing and acting on this critical juncture. Last week, Martin Griffiths sent a proposal to the internationally-recognised government, the Saudi-UAE military coalition, and the Houths that controls the capital, Sanaa, and most of northern Yemen.
Yemen has been embroiled in 5-years-long civil war that has killed thousands of people in the county. The civil war in Yemen began on 2014 related to antigovernment protests and soon the Houthis took control of the capital, Sana'a and pushed President Abed Rabbo Mansour and the government to Aden. In 2015, Saudi-led coalition forces started air strike against Houthis, and the next year they started ground attacks.
