AFP, Sanaa :
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen starting on May 12, even as it stepped up retaliatory air strikes on Houthi rebels in the north of the country.
“We have made a decision that the ceasefire will begin this Tuesday, May 12, at 11pm and will last for five days subject to renewal if it works out,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a meeting of Gulf ministers in Paris.
Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition have focused their fire since Thursday on rebels in their northern stronghold after Riyadh vowed “harsh” punishment for deadly cross-border bombardments.
“The ceasefire will end should Houthis or their allies not live up to the agreement – this is a chance for the Houthis to show that they care about their people and they care about the Yemen people,” Mr Jubeir said at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Mr Kerry said the ceasefire would take place “provided that the Houthis agree that there will be no bombing, no shooting, no movement of their troops or manoeuvring to reposition for military advantage (and) no movement of heavy weapons”.
Saudi Arabia announced on Friday a humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen starting on May 12, even as it stepped up retaliatory air strikes on Houthi rebels in the north of the country.
“We have made a decision that the ceasefire will begin this Tuesday, May 12, at 11pm and will last for five days subject to renewal if it works out,” Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said at a meeting of Gulf ministers in Paris.
Warplanes from a Saudi-led coalition have focused their fire since Thursday on rebels in their northern stronghold after Riyadh vowed “harsh” punishment for deadly cross-border bombardments.
“The ceasefire will end should Houthis or their allies not live up to the agreement – this is a chance for the Houthis to show that they care about their people and they care about the Yemen people,” Mr Jubeir said at a joint news conference with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
Mr Kerry said the ceasefire would take place “provided that the Houthis agree that there will be no bombing, no shooting, no movement of their troops or manoeuvring to reposition for military advantage (and) no movement of heavy weapons”.
