Saudi-UAE coalition declares 2-week unilateral ceasefire in Yemen amid coronavirus crisis

[Maddox]

The Saudi-UAE coalition fighting Yemen's Houthi rebels has declared a unilateral ceasefire.

The suspension of the coalition's military operations is expected to go into effect at 12pm local time (09:00 GMT) on Thursday and last for two weeks, Saudi Arabia's state-run news agency SPA quoted coalition spokesperson Colonel Turki al-Malki as saying.

The announcement came days after the United Nations called for a halt in hostilities amid the coronavirus pandemic.

SPA said on Wednesday that the ceasefire is intended to help prevent a coronavirus outbreak in Yemen, while also allowing for a de-escalation in the fighting. It was also aimed at giving the Houthis an opportunity to join UN-sponsored talks on a settlement to the conflict.

There was no immediate comment by the Houthis.

Mohammed Abdulsalam, spokesman of the Houthi movement, earlier said the group sent to the UN a comprehensive vision which includes an end to the five-year war and to "the blockade" imposed on Yemen.

Saudi-UAE unilateral ceasefire in Yemen begins; Houthis balk

Coalition fighting rebels says move partly in response to UN truce calls amid pandemic but Houthis vow to keep fighting.

www.aljazeera.com