Al Arabiya, 19 November 2016 – The Arab coalition fighting in Yemen against Iranian-backed militias declared a renewable 48-hour ceasefire to begin Saturday in Yemen, read a statement on the Saudi Press Agency.
“It has been decided to begin a 48-hour ceasefire from 12:00 noon in Yemen’s timing (0900 GMT) on Saturday,” said the coalition statement.
Saturday’s truce, the third announced this year, could be extended if the Iran-aligned Houthi movement shows commitment to it and if the group allows humanitarian aid into areas under siege.
“The truce will be renewed if the Houthis adhere to it, include its representatives in the DCC (De-escalation and Coordination Committee) for Dhahran al-Janoub, and lift the siege on Taiz,” SPA said.
The coalition announcement followed a request for a ceasefire by Yemen’s President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi — himself based in Riyadh — to Saudi King Salman, the statement said.
“Coalition forces will abide by the ceasefire”, it said, but warned that should the rebels or troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh make any military moves in the area the coalition would respond.
The naval and air “blockade” will also remain in place and surveillance jets will continue to fly over Yemen, it added.
Six attempts to clinch a ceasefire in Yemen have foundered, including a three-day October truce that fell apart as soon as it went into force.
It was designed to allow aid deliveries to millions of homeless and hungry Yemenis.
The United Nations says more than 7,000 people have been killed and nearly 37,000 wounded in Yemen since the Arab coalition began its military campaign last year.

 
(With Reuters and AFP)