Saudi Arabia proposes 5-day truce in Yemen

Kerry urges rebels to take offer, allow aid in amid crisis

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — Saudi Arabia offered Thursday to suspend attacks in Yemen during a five-day “humanitarian pause” after appeals from Secretary of State John Kerry to allow greater aid into the warbattered nation.

But it was not clear when the break in the conflict could start.

It also appeared to hinge on whether rebel groups in Yemen agree to the conditions of the cease-fire, which Saudi officials say could be extended if tensions ease.

The Saudi pledge was a boost for Kerry’s efforts to expand help for refugees and others suffering in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes in late March after rebels ousted the country ’s Western-allied president.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, speaking at a news conference with Kerry, called on the Yemen insurgents to halt their ground operations during

US begins training

the proposed five-day halt.

Al-Jubeir also held out prospects for a longer lull, saying the cease-fire could be extended if rebels agree to abide by the “pause” and not use the halt in airstrikes to gain new territory.

“There will be a ceasefire everywhere or there will be a cease-fire nowhere,” he said.

The United Nations and other relief agencies estimate more than half of Yemen’s people have either been driven from their homes by fighting or face shortages of water, medicine and other vital supplies.

Yemen has endured years of conflict, including U.S. drone strikes against an alQaida branch. But the coun-

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fighters

try’s humanitarian crisis sharply escalated in the showdown between a Saudi-led coalition and Houthi rebels.

Houthi fighters and their allies have control of large areas of Yemen, including Sanaa, the capital.

Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations claim the rebels are backed by Shiite power Iran, their chief regional rival. Iran denies direct links to the rebels, but has denounced the Saudiled airstrikes.

Kerry underscored that the cease-fire is now up to the Houthis and requires a complete quieting of arms.

“No bombing, no shooting, no repositioning of troops to achieve military advantage,” he said.

Late Wednesday, Yemen’s U.N. ambassador, Khaled Alyemany, wrote to the U.N. Security Council asking it to “quickly intervene” with ground troops into Yemen to push back the rebel forces after dozens of civilians died in strikes on a crowded port.

Kerry, however, said there are no plans to deploy U.S. forces to Yemen.

Kerry said he expects more details on the possible cease-fire could emerge Friday in Paris, where he will join foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss Yemen and the status of nuclear talks with Iran.

He added that aid groups also need time to coordinate strategies to bring supplies into Yemen.

Al-Jubeir also said that Saudi Arabia would donate $274 million for humanitarian aid to Yemeni civilians, and grant a special visa to an estimated 2 million to 3 million Yemenis in Saudi Arabia illegally so they can get jobs and earn money to send home to their families.

A conference is planned for May 17 in Riyadh to look for a peaceful resolution to the conflict, but the rebels have rejected Saudi demands to reinstate Yemen’s exiled president, Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.

Earlier Thursday, Kerry held talks with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman and, in a sign of support for the embattled Yemeni government, met with Hadi, who has taken refuge in Saudi Arabia.

“Good to see you here in Riyadh,” said Hadi as the two men shook hands.

“Hopefully we’ll see you in Sanaa soon,” Hadi added.

“Aaah,” replied Kerry, “there’s some work to do.”

“I know, we have some work to do,” Hadi said.

“Let’s do the work,” Kerry replied.