'Humanitarian Pause' to Begin in Yemen Friday

The United Nations has announced a humanitarian pause in fighting will begin Friday in Yemen, providing a break in Saudi-led airstrikes and fighting with the Houthi militia that will allow aid to reach millions of Yemenis around the country.

The "unconditional humanitarian pause" will continue until the end of Ramadan, U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric said.

"The Secretary-General has received assurances through his Special Envoy from the Houthis, the General People’s Congress and other parties the pause will be fully respected and that there will be no violations from any combatants under their control," according to a U.N. statement.

Eid, which marks the end of a month of fasting for Muslims, is scheduled for around July 17.

The United Nations has repeatedly attempted to negotiate a cease-fire between the exiled government of internationally recognized President Abd Rabu Mansour Hadi and the Houthi rebel group that overran the capital late last year.

The Saudi air campaign against the Houthis began in late March, pushing Yemenis to flee several major cities where fighting has been concentrated.
    voanews.com
  9/7/15
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Related:
 

• Joint statement by HR/VP Federica Mogherini and Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides on the crisis in Yemen

• Yemen peace talks in Geneva collapse