YEMEN: Houthi Rebels Positive Over Saudi Truce Plan

Rebels in Yemen say they will respond “positively” to a ceasefire offer by the Saudi-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against them. On the other hand, Saudi Arabia has offered a five-day truce starting on Tuesday, to allow the delivery of humanitarian supplies. The air raids that took place during the past days have killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians in recent weeks, according to the United Nations.

It is known that the Shia Houthi rebels from Northern Yemen have launched an offensive over the course of the last year, and now they gained control much of the country. The Saudi-led coalition aims to restore the government of exiled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi – who fled the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, in February.

On Friday, Saudi Arabia offered the five-day truce starting on Tuesday, but warned that it would respond to any violations. Early on Sunday, the rebels’ al-Massirah TV channel said they would “deal positively with any efforts, calls or measures that would help end the suffering”.

On 21 April the Saudi-led coalition announced an end to its bombing campaign in Yemen, but resumed air strikes within hours.

Sources:

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-32680317

http://time.com/3853121/yemen-houthis-humanitarian-cease-fire/

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/may/10/yemen-houthi-militia-ceasefire-saudi-arabia

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2015/05/10/report-yemen-cease-fire/27078481/

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