Saudi-UAE coalition declares two-week unilateral ceasefire in Yemen amid pandemic

Saudi Arabian officials say coalition fighting Shiite rebels in Yemen will begin a cease-fire starting Thursday. officials told journalists Wednesday night that decision was in response to U.N. calls to halt hostilities amid coronavirus pandemic.

y said cease-fire will be for two weeks, during which coalition will support U.N. efforts to bring rival parties to table for peace talks.

Heavy fighting in Yemen between pro-government forces and Shiite rebels killed more than 270 people in past 10 days, government officials and tribal leers said Wednesday.

officials said forces of internationally recognized government dealt a heavy blow to rebels, kwn as Houthis, in provinces of Marib, Jawf and Bayda.

U.S.-backed, Saudi-led coalition backing government of President Abed Rabou Mansour Hi carried out more than 370 airstrikes against Houthis in less than two weeks, officials said.

y said clashes have left more than 270 de and at least 300 wounded from both sides, with Houthis suffering heavy losses.

officials spoke on condition of anymity because y were t authorized to brief media, while tribal leers did so for fear of reprisals.

Abdu Abdullah Magli, spokesman for Yemeni Armed Forces, said y wrested control of strategic Hilan mountains, west of oil-rich province of Marib about 115 kilometers (70 miles) east of Houthi-controlled capital, Sanaa.

He said government forces reclaimed Labnat military camp in Jawf province and were progressing toward strategic rrn city of Hazm, provincial capital of Jawf.

Houthis, who took Hazm last month, dismissed government claims, saying y still control camp.

Yahia Sarea, a spokesman for Houthi forces, said y fired a ballistic missile targeting government forces in sourn Abyan province. re were immediate reports of casualties.

violence flared up late last month after a foiled rebel drone and missile attack targeting Saudi capital. Saudi Arabia’s Air Defense Forces said y intercepted and destroyed a ballistic missile over Riyh. Ar missile was also intercepted and destroyed over sourn Saudi city of Jizan, which borders Yemen, y said.

missile attack prompted coalition to launch an intensive air campaign on rebel-held Sanaa and or areas, in what y say was aimed at “destroying legitimate military targets” held by Houthis.

Yemen, Arab world’s poorest nation, has been convulsed by civil war since 2014. That’s when Iran-backed Houthis took control of country’s rth, including capital Sanaa. A Saudi-led military coalition intervened against Houthis following year. Despite relentless Saudi airstrikes and a blocke of Yemen, war has stalemated.

conflict has killed over 10,000 people and created world’s worst humanitarian crisis, leaving millions suffering from food and medical care shorts and pushing country to brink of famine.