We’re ready for ceasefire if…- Yemen tells UN

daniel russell

July 9, 2015 12:48 PM

More than 3,000 people have been killed since the coalition began an air campaign in March to drive back the rebels and restore the government.

Some reports said troops loyal to the exiled president were killed when a base in the south was hit in error

A spokesman of Yemen’s President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi has told the United Nations (UN) that its exiled government is ready for a temporary ceasefire to end nearly three months of fighting, provided key “guarantees” are met.

“The Yemeni authorities have informed the secretary general of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon of its agreement to implement a truce in the coming days,” spokesman Rajeh Badi told Reuters by phone from the government’s seat of exile in Saudi Arabia.

He indicated that President Mansour Hadi had “set guarantees for the success of the truce”.

The key guarantees included the release of prisoners by Yemen’s dominant Houthi group, including the loyalist defence minister, as well as the Houthis’ withdrawal from four southern and eastern provinces where they are fighting local militias.

But Houthi leader Zeifullah al-Shami told the Associated Press late on Wednesday that those conditions are “unacceptable” because they do not address the country’s humanitarian crisis.

A pro-Houthi activist, Hussain al-Bukhaiti has also told Al Jazeera that, "Those conditions are actually silly from the so-called President Hadi government. Those are the same conditions that were presented at Geneva talks and now here again. I know Houthi won’t accept any condition for withdrawal and there cannot be any precondition for ceasefire”.

Saudi Arabia and an Arab coalition have been bombing the Houthis and their allies in Yemen's army since March in an effort to restore Hadi.

Enhance Your Pulse News Experience!

Get rewards worth up to $20 when selected to participate in our exclusive focus group. Your input will help us to make informed decisions that align with your needs and preferences.

I've got feedback!

daniel russell