Houthi violations ended truce: Yemen foreign minister

Published May 18, 2015
Smoke rises from al-Qahira castle, an ancient fortress that was recently taken over by Houthi rebels, following a Saudi-led airstrike in Taiz, Yemen. ─ AP
Smoke rises from al-Qahira castle, an ancient fortress that was recently taken over by Houthi rebels, following a Saudi-led airstrike in Taiz, Yemen. ─ AP

RIYADH: A Saudi-led coalition resumed airstrikes in Yemen on Monday after a five-day humanitarian ceasefire because the Houthi militia and its allies violated the truce, Yemen's Foreign Minister Reyad Yassin Abdulla said by telephone.

The coalition is now not considering any new ceasefire offer despite a United Nations plea to extend the truce, Abdulla said, but he added that the renewed strikes would avoid Sanaa airport and Aden and Hodaida seaports to let aid get in.

UN envoy to Yemen Ismail Ould Sheikh Ahmed called for an extension of a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen on Sunday ─which expired the same day ─ as the Houthi rebels boycotted political talks in Riyadh.

Ahmed said, “This humanitarian truce should turn into a permanent ceasefire," while asking all parties to renew their commitment to the truce for five more days.

Although the talks were attended by about 400 delegates ─ including President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi ─ they were boycotted by the rebels, who rejected the main aim of the three day talks ─ the restoration of Yemen’s exiled president, Hadi. They were also opposed to the location of the negotiations.

Clashes on the ground between rebels and pro-government forces continued in various parts of Yemen despite the five-day humanitarian ceasefire last week, which had largely held.

Yemen's conflict has killed more than 1,400 people ─ many of them civilians ─ since March 19, according to the United Nations.

The country of some 25 million people has endured shortages of food, water, medicine and electricity as a result of a Saudi-led blockade.

Read more: Fighting rages on in Yemen, killing 10, as humanitarian ceasefire draws to an end

Opinion

Editorial

After the deluge
Updated 16 Jun, 2024

After the deluge

There was a lack of mental fortitude in the loss against India while against US, the team lost all control and displayed a lack of cohesion and synergy.
Fugue state
16 Jun, 2024

Fugue state

WITH its founder in jail these days, it seems nearly impossible to figure out what the PTI actually wants. On one...
Sindh budget
16 Jun, 2024

Sindh budget

SINDH’S Rs3.06tr budget for the upcoming financial year is a combination of populist interventions, attempts to...
Slow start
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Slow start

Despite high attendance, the NA managed to pass only a single money bill during this period.
Sindh lawlessness
Updated 15 Jun, 2024

Sindh lawlessness

A recently released report describes the law and order situation in Karachi as “worryingly poor”.
Punjab budget
15 Jun, 2024

Punjab budget

PUNJAB’S budget for 2024-25 provides much fodder to those who believe that the increased provincial share from the...