...

Yemen cease-fire deal to be signed: UN envoy

Arab World Materials 21 September 2014 05:38 (UTC +04:00)
UN envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar said on Saturday night that he had brokered a cease-fire deal between the Yemeni government and Shiite Houthi group, without mentioning when the two sides would sign on it.
Yemen cease-fire deal to be signed: UN envoy

UN envoy to Yemen Jamal bin Omar said on Saturday night that he had brokered a cease-fire deal between the Yemeni government and Shiite Houthi group, without mentioning when the two sides would sign on it, Xinhua reported.

During a brief press conference held in Sanaa, the envoy said the Yemeni government and rebels agreed to put an end to the deadly clashes in the capital that have left more than 200 people killed since Tuesday.

He said "the presidency need time to prepare for the signing ceremony," without saying when the two sides would sign on the deal.

The Yemeni Interior Ministry on Saturday night declared a curfew in several areas in the capital Sanaa, as clashes intensified between Houthi rebels and the Sunni-militia-supported army.

The curfew will be imposed in northwestern Sanaa, where the two sides have used heavy weapons in fierce battles that are expanding towards the city center. Explosions were heard throughout the day and smokes rising from conflict zones can be seen in downtown Sanaa.

About 55 people, including at least ten civilians, were killed on Saturday, which pushed the death toll to more than 200 since the clashes broke out on Tuesday, according to medical sources.

Tens of thousands of supporters of the Houthi group have rallied in Sanaa since early August, demanding the government to resume fuel subsidies and the cabinet to resign. The protesters also set up sit-in tents around several ministries.

The Houthis have been fighting the Yemeni army in the country's north for years. The last cease-fire deal between the rebels and the government was reached in 2010, putting an end to a six-year war during which the rebels took control of Saada province.

Tags:
Latest

Latest