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Yemen peace talks under way as ceasefire begins Yemen peace talks under way as ceasefire begins
(about 1 hour later)
Yemen's warring parties have begun UN-backed peace talks in Switzerland, as a seven-day ceasefire came into effect.Yemen's warring parties have begun UN-backed peace talks in Switzerland, as a seven-day ceasefire came into effect.
The UN says the talks between the government, the Houthi rebel movement and its allies aimed to find a "durable settlement" to the months-long crisis.The UN says the talks between the government, the Houthi rebel movement and its allies aimed to find a "durable settlement" to the months-long crisis.
At least 5,878 people - almost half civilians - have been killed since a Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the rebels in March.At least 5,878 people - almost half civilians - have been killed since a Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign against the rebels in March.
The coalition is seeking to drive back the Houthis and restore the government.The coalition is seeking to drive back the Houthis and restore the government.
Representatives of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, the Houthis and the General People's Congress party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh - whose loyalists in the security forces have backed the rebels - are meeting near the town of Biel. The talks are expected to last all week.Representatives of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, the Houthis and the General People's Congress party of former President Ali Abdullah Saleh - whose loyalists in the security forces have backed the rebels - are meeting near the town of Biel. The talks are expected to last all week.
The UN's special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, who is mediating the talks, said the truce "should mark the end of military violence in Yemen and the transition to progress based on negotiations, dialogue and consensus". The UN's special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, said the truce "should mark the end of military violence in Yemen and the transition to progress based on negotiations, dialogue and consensus".
"Making peace is a fundamental requirement to rebuild Yemen, rehabilitate the basic infrastructure, address the consequences of the war, provide the necessary environment to normalize life in all governorates, and resume economic activity." "Making peace is a fundamental requirement to rebuild Yemen, rehabilitate the basic infrastructure, address the consequences of the war, provide the necessary environment to normalize life in all governorates, and resume economic activity," he added.
The Saudi-led coalition has said it reserves the right to respond to any breach of the ceasefire. The Mauritanian diplomat has said the warring parties are committed to implementing UN Security Council resolution 2216, which calls on them to end the violence and avoid unilateral actions that might jeopardise a political transition.
Hours before it began, a Saudi military commander and an Emirati officer were reported to have been killed along with a number of Gulf, Yemeni and Sudanese soldiers by a missile fired by Houthi rebels in Taiz province. It also demands the Houthis and allied army units loyal to Mr Saleh withdraw from areas they have seized since September 2014, when the capital Sanaa was overrun, and hand over captured weapons.
If confirmed, the attack would be the deadliest on the coalition since 45 Emirati troops were killed when a missile hit a base in Marib province, east of the capital, Sanaa, in September. An earlier round of indirect talks in Geneva in June ended without an agreement.
The Saudi-led coalition launched a military campaign in March after the Houthis seized Sanaa and advanced on the second city, Aden. The Saudi-led coalition, which is not participating in the talks, has said it reserves the right to respond to any breach of the ceasefire.
President Hadi and his government were forced to flee to Saudi Arabia. Hours before it began, a Saudi military commander and an Emirati officer were reported to have been killed along with dozens of Gulf, Yemeni and Sudanese soldiers by a missile fired by rebels in Taiz province.
The coalition launched a military campaign in March after the Houthis advanced on the second city, Aden, forcing President Hadi and his ministers to flee the country.
Since then, coalition and pro-government forces have retaken Aden and the city of Marib, but have failed to drive the rebels out of the third city of Taiz.
The already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen has also deteriorated severely, with more than 21 million people - four-fifths of the population - now requiring aid.The already dire humanitarian situation in Yemen has also deteriorated severely, with more than 21 million people - four-fifths of the population - now requiring aid.
Since March, coalition and pro-government forces have retaken Aden and the city of Marib, but have failed to drive the rebels out of the third city of Taiz. The World Health Organisation (WHO) said it had been promised "unconditional movement" of supplies and medical teams as part of the ceasefire.
A spokesman said 19 aid lorries were due to leave Aden and Sanaa later on Tuesday, and that 150 tonnes of supplies were expected to be shipped to Yemen from Djibouti on Sunday or Monday.
Why is there fighting in Yemen?Why is there fighting in Yemen?
The war the world forgot?The war the world forgot?
Yemen's humanitarian catastropheYemen's humanitarian catastrophe
Who is fighting whom?Who is fighting whom?
Meeting the Houthis and their enemiesMeeting the Houthis and their enemies