Yemen conflict: Both sides accept 72-hour ceasefire

A 72-hour ceasefire has been agreed to between Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and Houthi militias slated to begin on Wednesday, with the possibility of an extension.

“The President agreed to a 72 hrs ceasefire to be extended if the other party adheres to it,” Yemeni Foreign Minister Abdulmalek al-Mekhlafi said on twitter.

The agreement triggers a ceasefire which would end the siege of the city of Taiz. “We are here to call for an immediate cessation of hostilities, which will be declared in the next few hours,” said UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed.

He said the warring factions had agreed to follow the terms and conditions of a previous ceasefire agreement that was made in April. He expressed hope that the upcoming ceasefire would lead “to a permanent and lasting end to the conflict.”

Meanwhile Al Arabiya News Channel's correspondent reported that military sources that Houthi leader Abdel Khalek al-Karmouchi was killed during clashes with Yemen’s national army north east of the capital Sanaa.

Other sources confirmed the death of Houthi leader and military spokesperson colonel Ahmed Abdel Rahman al-Khatib during clashes northeast of the Houthi strong hold province Saada. Houthi militia senior leaders Abu Saleh al-Ghamri and Jaafer Adlan were also confirmed killed in the Saada clashes.

Meanwhile on Tuesday, coalition forces were able to kill tens of Houthi militia forces who attempted to breach the borders with Saudi Arabia.