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Warring Yemen sides vow to uphold ceasefire amid reports of clashes Warring Yemen sides vow to uphold ceasefire amid reports of clashes
(5 months later)
Both sides in the Yemeni civil war have pledged to uphold a truce meant to pave the way for peace talks.Both sides in the Yemeni civil war have pledged to uphold a truce meant to pave the way for peace talks.
Related: The Guardian view on Yemen’s war: a year of living shamefully | Editorial
“The forces of the [Saudi-led] coalition will adhere to the ceasefire,” said the alliance’s command, which backs the Yemeni government. “The leadership of the coalition reaffirms its continued support for the people of Yemen and the government in order for the UN-brokered peace talks to end the crisis to succeed.”“The forces of the [Saudi-led] coalition will adhere to the ceasefire,” said the alliance’s command, which backs the Yemeni government. “The leadership of the coalition reaffirms its continued support for the people of Yemen and the government in order for the UN-brokered peace talks to end the crisis to succeed.”
The leadership of the Houthi-backed rebel forces in Sana’a, the capital, also said they would also comply with the ceasefire, which began at midnight, but alleged that the Saudi-led coalition had already violated it by continuing to fly air sorties over Sana’a and shelling Houthi positions.The leadership of the Houthi-backed rebel forces in Sana’a, the capital, also said they would also comply with the ceasefire, which began at midnight, but alleged that the Saudi-led coalition had already violated it by continuing to fly air sorties over Sana’a and shelling Houthi positions.
Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in March last year in support of the elected president, Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was overthrown in a coup by the Houthis, rebels from the north with ties to Iran and whose forces are fighting alongside army troops loyal to the former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh. Several previous ceasefire attempts failed to stem the fighting.Saudi Arabia intervened in Yemen in March last year in support of the elected president, Abed Rabbu Mansour Hadi, who was overthrown in a coup by the Houthis, rebels from the north with ties to Iran and whose forces are fighting alongside army troops loyal to the former strongman Ali Abdullah Saleh. Several previous ceasefire attempts failed to stem the fighting.
Since then the war has devastated Yemen, leaving 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance, and reducing cities such as Taiz, besieged for months, to rubble.Since then the war has devastated Yemen, leaving 80% of the population in need of humanitarian assistance, and reducing cities such as Taiz, besieged for months, to rubble.
Nearly 9,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the UN high commissioner for human rights, who blamed the Saudi coalition for most of the civilian deaths.Nearly 9,000 people have died in the conflict, according to the UN high commissioner for human rights, who blamed the Saudi coalition for most of the civilian deaths.
Unicef, the UN children’s charity, estimates that 900 children have been killed in the war and more than 800 child soldiers have been recruited into various armed groups.Unicef, the UN children’s charity, estimates that 900 children have been killed in the war and more than 800 child soldiers have been recruited into various armed groups.
Forces backed by the Saudis have taken the southern capital of Aden, Hadi’s home town, but have struggled to make inroads further north, and Aden itself remains lawless under the rule of competing militias and attacks by both the Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).Forces backed by the Saudis have taken the southern capital of Aden, Hadi’s home town, but have struggled to make inroads further north, and Aden itself remains lawless under the rule of competing militias and attacks by both the Islamic State and al-Qaida in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP).
Related: The city where war is the best employer: life in liberated Aden
AQAP has taken advantage of a power vacuum since the war began to acquire more territory.AQAP has taken advantage of a power vacuum since the war began to acquire more territory.
Peace talks are scheduled to begin this week in Kuwait, but obstacles remain, including the role of the Houthis as well as Hadi in a future national unity government, and growing resentment between north and south as a consequence of the brutality of the conflict. Another issue is containing the expansion of terrorist groups.Peace talks are scheduled to begin this week in Kuwait, but obstacles remain, including the role of the Houthis as well as Hadi in a future national unity government, and growing resentment between north and south as a consequence of the brutality of the conflict. Another issue is containing the expansion of terrorist groups.
In a blow to the peace talks, last week Hadi dismissed his vice-president, Khaled Bahah, who many saw as a potential alternative leader palatable to both the Saudis and the Houthis, revealing a power struggle even within the exiled government.In a blow to the peace talks, last week Hadi dismissed his vice-president, Khaled Bahah, who many saw as a potential alternative leader palatable to both the Saudis and the Houthis, revealing a power struggle even within the exiled government.
“Don’t forget that peace is so weak and alone in Yemen right now; not many working for it from either side,” said Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemeni visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Centre.“Don’t forget that peace is so weak and alone in Yemen right now; not many working for it from either side,” said Farea al-Muslimi, a Yemeni visiting scholar at the Carnegie Middle East Centre.
“The ceasefire is even more crucial if it lasts than the actual negotiations since it can be extended and built on. Apparently the Saudis and Houthis want a deal and ceasefire but it doesn’t look so from Saleh and Hadi. They will definitely try to hinder it as they both lose much at the moment if a peace happens.”“The ceasefire is even more crucial if it lasts than the actual negotiations since it can be extended and built on. Apparently the Saudis and Houthis want a deal and ceasefire but it doesn’t look so from Saleh and Hadi. They will definitely try to hinder it as they both lose much at the moment if a peace happens.”