Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen to Begin Wednesday

A UN envoy for Yemen finally received commitments from all of the country’s opposing groups. He then said that a 72-hour ceasefire in Yemen is scheduled on Wednesday night.

Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, UN Special Envoy for Yemen, said that the termination of hostilities would begin at 2359 local time (2059 GMT) on Wednesday, the United Nations said in a statement. The ceasefire agreement could be renewed after the initial three –day period.

“The Special Envoy welcomes the restoration of the Cessation of Hostilities, which will spare the Yemeni people further bloodshed and will allow for the expanded delivery of humanitarian assistance,” the statement said.

Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdel-Malek al-Mekhlafi made an announcement on his official Twitter feed earlier Monday. He said that President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi had consented to a 72-hour ceasefire with the likelihood of it being extended.

He added that the president agreed to the extension of the ceasefire if the other party abides by it. Also, they should lift the siege of Taiz, and activate the DCC (De-escalation and Coordination Committee).

The DCC is the United Nations-supported military commission in-charge for administering ceasefires in Yemen.

Hadi’s displaced government has been calling for humanitarian access for Taiz. The Houthi rebels, who overran Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, in 2014, largely surround the city. Government forces retain control of only one of four entry routes.

The Suadi-backed loyal forces loyal to Hadi hold Yemen’s southern part, which it shares with local tribes. Meanwhile, the Iranian-aligned Houthis and their allies, militants dedicated to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, control most of the country’s northern half.

Saudis doubtful of peace efforts

Saudi Arabia will accept a ceasefire if the Houthis agreed to one, Saudi Foreign Minister Adel-al-Jubeir said on Monday. However, he was doubtful about peace efforts after previous ceasefire attempts failed.

Since March 2015, Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies have executed air strikes and positioned troops in Yemen to support Hadi’s government. According to UN estimates, around 10,000 people, including 3.800 civilians, have died in the conflict.

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