Middle-east Arab News Opinion | Asharq Al-awsat

Houthis Violate the 48-hour Yemen Truce | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Yemen. Mohamed al-Sayaghi/Reuters


Riyadh, Aden- Houthi militias and former President Abdullah Saleh forces committed at least 15 violations in the first hours of the 48-hour truce declared by the Arab Coalition in Yemen starting at mid-day Saturday.

The Command of Coalition Forces to Support Legitimacy in Yemen said the ceasefire is extendable as long as Houthi militias and forces loyal to them abide by the truce, in addition to allowing the entry of humanitarian aid to the besieged areas, particularly Taiz, and lifting the siege imposed on it.

According to a statement issued by the coalition forces, representatives from the coup side at the Coordination Committee shall also come to Dhahran Aljanoub.

The coalition forces said they only accepted the truce after Yemeni President Abdu Rabu Mansour Hadi sent a letter to the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud in this regard.

The coalition forces warned they would respond to any acts or military movements committed by the Houthi militias and their supporters in Yemen.

“Air and maritime inspection will continue during the ceasefire period as well as aerial reconnaissance for any movements of the Houthi militias and forces loyal to them,” the statement said.

At the time Houthis announced they would respect a truce in Yemen, several civilians were killed and injured when rebel militias attacked the city of Taiz.

Spokesman of the Popular Resistance of Sana’a Abdullah Al-Shandaqi said Saturday that Houthi militias violated the truce in its early hours.

Al-Shandaqi said that the Popular Resistance observed 15 violations committed by militias during the first hour of truce after the militias shelled with artillery and heavy machine guns several sites of the legitimacy forces in Mount Manara and Mount Qorn Nihm and the areas of Malh and al-Jabalayn.

The spokesperson said the legitimate forces would respect the ceasefire in the mentioned areas, but reserves the right to respond if militias continue violating the truce.

Meanwhile, Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi directed the national army and the leaders of the Popular Resistance on Saturday to be more vigilant and address any violation carried out by the coup leaders.

Mohsen Ali Khasrouf, the chief of Yemen’s Armed Forces Moral Guidance Department told Asharq Al-Awsat on Saturday afternoon: “Shelling has not stopped in the city of Taiz since Saturday morning. Other violations were observed in Mount Hilan and al-Makhdarah, which were both attacked by tanks.”