Your trusted source

Yemen’s Houthi rebels accepted a five-day humanitarian cease-fire proposed by their adversary Saudi Arabia Sunday but pledged to respond to any violations of the pause, Reuters reported.

Saudi Arabia had said Friday that the cease-fire could begin Tuesday if the Iranian-allied militia agreed to the pause, which would let in badly needed food and medical supplies.

Backed by the United States, a Saudi-led coalition has been conducting airstrikes against the Houthis and army units loyal to ex-President Ali Abdullah Saleh since March 26 with the aim of restoring the government of President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi.

“We will deal positively with any efforts, calls or serious and positive measures that would help lift the suffering and allow aid, supplies and ships to move safely to Yemen,” the Houthis said in a statement carried by state media Saba.

Col. Sharaf Luqman, spokesperson for the Houthi-allied army, said Sunday Yemeni forces had agreed to the truce but would confront any attacks by Hadi loyalists on battlefronts which stretch across much of the impoverished country.

The Houthis say their campaign is aimed at defeating Al-Qaeda militants based in Yemen and accuse Hadi’s forces of supporting the group.

Arab planes bombed for a second day in a row the vast compound in the capital Sanaa which is home to Saleh, a key player in Yemen’s political crisis whose loyalists in the army fight on the Houthis’ side.

Saleh, a wily political operator, appeared unscathed and stood before the ruins of his political residence to taunt Saudi Arabia in remarks televised by his TV channel, Yemen Today.

“It isn’t just me who is being targeted but every citizen. ... This aggression is cowardly. Go ahead and come by land, we’ll make a welcome for you,” Saleh, wearing sunglasses, said calmly.