Yemen truce takes hold, raises hopes for talks

Marib, Yemen — A UN-brokered ceasefire was taking hold in Yemen on Monday, raising hopes that peace talks due next week may finally resolve the country’s devastating conflict. Forces loyal to President Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi, the Shiite Houthi rebels, and the Saudi-led coalition that intervened in Yemen last year all pledged to honor the truce after it took effect at midnight on Sunday. The UN special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, welcomed the ceasefire, calling it “a first step in Yemen’s return to peace.” “This is critical, urgent and much needed. Yemen cannot afford the loss of more lives,” the Mauritanian diplomat said. Previous efforts to stop the fighting in Yemen — which has left thousands dead and forced more than two million people from their homes — have collapsed amid mutual recriminations. Gen. Mohamed Ali Al-Makdashi, the chief of staff for Hadi’s forces, said on Monday morning that the ceasefire was largely holding despite some violations by rebel fighters. “The truce has not collapsed and we hope the rebels end their attacks and respect the ceasefire,” he said, alleging breaches of the ceasefire in several areas including the cities of Taiz in southwestern Yemen and Marib east of Sanaa. A committee comprised of representatives from both sides will work to ensure the ceasefire is respected. The coalition’s spokesman, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Al-Assiri, described the violations as “minor.” “It is the first day and we should be patient,” he said. An eyewitness in Sanaa said the rebel-held capital has not been targeted by coalition warplanes since Sunday. “Now is the time to step back from the brink,” the UN’s Cheikh Ahmed said. “The progress made represents a real opportunity to rebuild a country that has suffered far too much violence for far too long.” Makdashi had earlier said loyalist forces would respect the ceasefire but reserved the right to respond if it was violated by Houthi forces. — AFP