Yemen’s warring sides accept a two-month truce starting with Ramadan
A truce for two months, subject to extension, entered into force in Yemen on Saturday evening, according to what the UN envoy to Yemen announced.
The truce was welcomed regionally and internationally. The Yemenis expressed their happiness with the truce, hoping that it would lead to lasting peace.
Yemenis welcomed the country-wide UN-brokered ceasefire that came into effect on Saturday evening (April 2, 2022) as a glimmer of hope in a country wracked by a seven-year war that has pushed millions into hunger, poverty, and displacement.
After several failed attempts at peace and an escalation of violence over more than a year, Yemenis received news of the truce with caution. The two-month truce, which coincides with the start of Ramadan, is the first time since 2016 that the warring parties have agreed to halt the nationwide fighting.
“The truce, which will last for two months, began at seven in the evening (Saturday), and starting from tonight, all offensive military operations by land, air, and sea will stop,” said Hans Grundberg, the UN envoy to Yemen.
“The success of this initiative depends on the warring parties’ continued commitment to implementing the armistice agreement, including the accompanying humanitarian measures”. he added
The agreement includes stopping offensive military operations, including cross-border attacks, and also allows fuel imports to enter areas controlled by the Iran-allied Houthi group and some commercial flights from the Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa.
A Saudi-led military coalition, which intervened in March 2015 to support the Yemeni government against the Houthis, controls the seas and airspace in Yemen.
