Sanaa
\nYemen\u00b4s warring parties are set to lay down their weapons for the first nationwide truce since 2016 on Saturday, with all eyes on whether the UN-brokered ceasefire will hold.
\nThe Iran-backed Huthi rebels and Saudi-led coalition have both agreed to observe the two-month truce, which is to take effect at 1600 GMT on the first day of the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan.
\nYemen\u2019s intractable war has killed hundreds of thousands directly or indirectly and displaced millions, triggering the world\u00b4s worst humanitarian crisis, according to the United Nations.
\nPrevious ceasefires have been ineffective. A national truce ahead of peace talks in April 2016 was violated almost immediately, as were other ceasefires that year.
\nA 2018 agreement to cease hostilities around rebel-held Hodeida port, a lifeline for the Arab world\u00b4s poorest country, was also largely ignored.
\nBoth the Huthis and Saudi Arabia have welcomed the latest initiative, which follows a surge in attacks but also increasing diplomacy including ongoing talks \u2014 snubbed by the rebels \u2014 in Riyadh.
\n\u201cThis time I am optimistic. This truce is unlike all the previous ones,\u201d Asmaa Zayed, a college student who also works as a cashier in Hodeida, told AFP.
\n\u201cThe fact it comes with Ramadan gives us a lot of hope. This war started when I was 15 years old and turned all my dreams into nightmares.\u201d
\nUnder the agreement, all ground, air and sea military operations in Yemen and across its borders would stop, UN special envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg said in his announcement.
\nFuel ships would be allowed into Hodeida port and commercial flights could resume to certain regional destinations from the airport in the Huthi-held capital Sanaa \u2014 both key demands of the insurgents before they consider peace talks.
\nThe two sides have also agreed to meet to open roads in Taez and other governorates, Grundberg said, adding the truce could be renewed with their consent.
\n\u201cAll Yemeni women, men and children that have suffered immensely through over seven years of war expect nothing less than an end to this war,\u201d said the Swedish diplomat. With fighting in Yemen at a stalemate, the Huthis launched a series of drone-and-missile attacks on Saudi Arabia and coalition partner the United Arab Emirates this year, often targeting oil facilities.
\nThe coalition has responded with air strikes.
\nLast week, on the seventh anniversary of the Saudi-led military coalition\u00b4s intervention, and a day after an attack on an oil plant within sight of the Formula One Grand Prix in the Saudi city of Jeddah, the Huthis announced a three-day unilateral ceasefire.
\nThe coalition then announced its own truce from Wednesday, ahead of discussions with international partners in Riyadh. The rebels declined to attend the talks in an \u201cenemy\u201d country.
\nSaudi Arabia on Saturday expressed its \u201csupport\u201d for the UN ceasefire, which was also welcomed by US President Joe Biden and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. \u201cThese are important steps, but they are not enough,\u201d Biden said. \u201cThe ceasefire must be adhered to, and as I have said before, it is imperative that we end this war.\u201d
\nBritish Prime Minister Boris Johnson has welcomed the deal, calling it \u201ca window of opportunity to finally secure peace and end the humanitarian suffering\u201d.
\nOn Saturday, France foreign ministry said the truce was a \u201cmajor step forward\u201d, and offered \u201cfull support\u201d for UN efforts towards a permanent ceasefire.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Sanaa Yemen\u00b4s warring parties are set to lay down their weapons for the first nationwide truce since 2016 on Saturday, with all eyes on whether the UN-brokered ceasefire will hold. The Iran-backed Huthi rebels and Saudi-led coalition have both agreed to observe the two-month truce, which is to take effect at 1600 GMT on the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-252812","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-world"},"yoast_head":"\n