UN: ‘Positive Indications’ in Talks on Extending Yemen Truce

Govt conditions truce on ending Houthi siege of Taiz

On the last day of the current two-month ceasefire in Yemen, the UN is reporting that the talks on an extension are showing “preliminary, positive indications.” There were even reports on an “initial agreement” to extend the truce another two months.

 There’s no firm indication that extension is final, though it’s clearly close. The pro-Saudi Presidential Leadership Council of Yemen is reportedly setting up conditions for the ceasefire extension, including the Houthis ending the siege of Taiz.

When the Yemen War began, Saudi forces invaded the port of Aden and started heading northward. The first big city they hit was Taiz, and that fight was stalemated almost immediately. Fighting continues off and on, but throughout the war no one has won conclusively.

Other conditions were mentioned but not named. The Houthis may be reluctant to offer too much, unless they are also pushing for more access to humanitarian aid.

The last two months of ceasefire have been wildly successful, with no airstrikes, no casualties from airstrikes, and after some early delays, substantial increases in aid deliveries. The truce ends Thursday, barring a deal to extend.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.