Sanaa: After six weeks of bombing by Saudi-led coalition, the situation in Yemen may soon calm down as Shiite rebels (Houthis) have reacted positively to a five-day ceasefire proposed by Riyadh.
Houthis on Sunday issued a statement saying they will cooperate with the ceasefire, state news agency SABA quoted.
However, Houthi rebels have warned they will retaliate if bombing was resumed.
“Any military violation of the ceasefire from al Qaeda and those who stand with it and support it and fund it will be responded to by the army and security and the popular committees,” Colonel Sharaf Luqman, spokesperson for the Houthi-allied army was quoted as saying by SABA news agency.
According to a report in the al-Jazeera, Houthis also want talks between political factions to be held under the umbrella of the UN. However they would not accept the talks if held in Saudi Arabia or any coalition member nation.
Saudi Arabia which has been spearheading a bombing campaign in Yemen against Houthis since March 26, last week proposed a five-day ceasefire for delivery of humanitarian aid to affected people. According to the UN, over 1400 people have been killed since March 19.
The ceasefire, which is set to come into effect at 11 pm (2000 GMT) on Tuesday, will bring relief to scores of people suffering in lack of humanitarian aid.
Saudi's bombing campaign was triggered as Houthi rebels-backed by Iran and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh had made large gains in Yemen, forcing President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi to flee the country.
