Iranian-backed Houthi rebels and the Saudi-led coalition have agreed to abide by a two-month ceasefire that went into effect on Saturday, the first day of Ramadan, the holy month of Muslim fasting. “The two-month truce started at 7 p.m. (1600 GMT) tonight. “As of tonight, all offensive ground, air and naval military operations must cease,” said UN special envoy Hans Grundberg. The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Sari, reaffirmed “our commitment to a total cessation of military operations, provided the other side complies,” in a statement issued by the rebels. The unresolved war in Yemen has killed hundreds of thousands directly or indirectly and displaced millions, triggering the worst humanitarian crisis in the world, according to the United Nations. Previous ceasefires have been ineffective. A national ceasefire before the peace talks in April 2016 was violated almost immediately, as were other ceasefires that year. A 2018 ceasefire agreement around the rebel-held port of Hodeidah, a lifeline for the Arab world’s poorest country, has also been largely ignored. Both the Houthis and Saudi Arabia have welcomed the latest initiative, which follows growing attacks and growing diplomacy, including ongoing talks – snooping on the rebels – in Riyadh. “I am optimistic this time. “This truce is not like any other,” said Asmaa Zayed, a college student who also works as a cashier in Hodeida. “The fact that he is coming with Ramadan gives us a lot of hope. “This war started when I was 15 years old and turned all my dreams into nightmares.” Under the agreement, all land, air and naval military operations in Yemen and beyond will be stopped. Eighteen fuel vessels will be allowed in Hodeidah and two commercial flights a week can be resumed in and out of Sanaa, which is also in rebel hands – both of the guerrillas’ basic demands before considering the peace talks. The two sides also agreed to meet to pave the way for Taez and other provinces, Grundberg said. The ceasefire could be renewed with the consent of both parties. “The success of this initiative will depend on the continued commitment of the warring parties to implement the ceasefire agreement with its accompanying humanitarian measures,” said the Swedish diplomat. “I also hope that the goodwill we have seen from all sides in public will translate into a long-term de-escalation of inflammatory media rhetoric and hate speech.” The US special envoy for Yemen, Tim Lenderking, tweeted: “Seven years of war have caused a great deal of pain. “We urge the parties to abide by the terms and to pave the way for a sustainable ceasefire and an inclusive political peace process.” Saudi Arabia has voiced its “support” for the UN ceasefire, which has also been welcomed by US President Joe Biden, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, the European Union and the leaders of Britain, France and Iraq. The question now is whether the truce will be observed. The war in Yemen began when the Houthis took control of Sanaa in 2014, prompting the Saudi-led intervention in March of the following year to support the ousted government. It plunged the already poorest country in the Arab world into years of crisis, with failed infrastructure and services and 80% of the population of 30 million dependent on aid. “Everything around us smells of death and war,” said Zayed, a student at Hodeida. “I think I’m going to be depressed if this truce ends or fails.”
