Coalition and Houthis agree on ceasefire
sanaa — An informal agreement to reduce hostilities between Saudi-led coalition forces and rebels in and around Yemen’s Red Sea port city of Hodeida has taken hold, military officials said on Tuesday, in a move that could be a prelude to peace talks.
The officials said hostilities have ceased for the second consecutive day, with both sides respecting the truce. Only three coalition air strikes were carried out in the last 24 hours. The truce followed advances by the coalition in their latest attempt to retake the city from the Houthis.
The officials said efforts were being made to persuade the rebels to abandon the city and hand over control to an independent Yemeni party that would run the port under UN supervision. —
london — The Saudi-led coalition fighting in Yemen has agreed to allow some wounded Houthi rebels to be evacuated, following a visit to the region by British Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, his office said on Tuesday.
The issue has proved a sticking point in previous peace talks and the move could now pave the way for fresh negotiations, Britain’s foreign ministry said in a statement.
“The Saudi-led coalition (has) agreed to the evacuation of wounded Houthis from Yemen, one of the key stumbling blocks to the UN Geneva talks in September,” it added.
“Coalition forces will now permit the UN to oversee a Houthi medical evacuation, including up to fifty wounded fighters, to Oman ahead of another proposed round of peace talks in Sweden later this month.”
Hunt was in the region to boost support for UN efforts to end the nearly four-year conflict in Yemen. “In my meetings we have made progress in removing the largest stumbling block to previous proposed rounds of peace talks, and set out a credible path to a de-escalation of military activity,” Hunt said following the trip.
“I leave the region encouraged by these signs of progress, and I am determined to do what it takes
I leave the region encouraged by these signs of progress, and I am determined to do what it takes to convert this into a lasting peace for the people of Yemen.
Jeremy Hunt, British Foreign Secretary
to convert this into a lasting peace for the people of Yemen.”
“Diplomacy and negotiation remain the only path to ending the conflict and I am encouraged that Saudi Arabia and the UAE have shown their support for the UN peace process, led by Special Envoy Martin Griffiths,” Hunt added.
“I will continue talking to partners about the best way for the Security Council to support the UN special envoy’s efforts on the political process and improve the humanitarian situation.”—