UN: Yemen ceasefire to start 10 April and peace talks a week later

While there have been rumours of talks, the UN has only just now confirmed that negotiations will start in Kuwait next month

Wednesday 23 March 2016 19:41 UTC
Last update:
Wednesday 23 March 2016 22:04 UTC



Pro-government Yemeni fighter holds a position in the city of Taez (AFP)

A special UN envoy announced on Wednesday a ceasefire across Yemen on 10 April followed a week later by fresh peace talks, raising hopes for a breakthrough in a war that has brought the impoverished Arab country to its knees.

Yemen has been gripped by violence since September 2014, when Houthi rebels stormed the capital Sanaa and forced the internationally recognised government to flee south to the second city of Aden.

"The parties to the conflict have agreed to a nationwide cessation of hostilities beginning 10 April at midnight in advance of the upcoming round of the peace talks, which will take place on 18 April in Kuwait," Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed told a press conference in New York.

Saudi Arabia launched a coalition of Arab nations in March 2015 to push back Houthi militants who had swept down from their northern stronghold of Saada and seized control of the capital Sanaa, forcing Hadi into exile in Riyadh.

- See more at: http://www.middleeasteye.net/news/un-confirms-yemen-ceasefire-start-10-april-and-peace-talks-week-later-1163421221#sthash.Bz9RB1zu.dpuf