Five years into the Saudi-led invasion of Yemen, a ceasefire looks likely, as all major warring parties have offered support for a UN call for an immediate ceasefire. The ceasefire is being called because of the coronavirus.
The coronavirus largely has not hit Yemen yet, which is lucky because there is no nation less ready for it, as naval blockades have left health systems at the brink of collapse as it is. Its arrival is only a matter of time, and heavy fighting would just spread it around faster, and make it worse.
The Houthi movement has already tried to mimic the rest of the region with restrictions, and the US cited these restrictions as a reason to cut aid. Having Yemen not at war, and not being hit with constant airstrikes, would go a long way toward easing the existing crises, as well as preventing the next one.
Yemen’s Houthis and the Saudis have engaged in on-again, off-again peace talks which would doubtless benefit from a ceasefire. This is a war that couldn’t end soon enough for many, and the coronavirus may be yet another reason to stop fighting.
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