Saudi Arabia announces 5-day humanitarian pause in Yemen war

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, left, meets with Saudi foreign minister Adel al-Jubeir, right, at the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday, May 7, 2015. Kerry sought to secure a pause in Yemen’s war after he arrived to Saudi Arabia to meet with the king and other top officials, citing increased shortages of food, fuel and medicine that are adding to a crisis that already has neighboring countries bracing for a mass exodus of refugees. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, Pool)

Saudi Arabia has announced a five-day ceasefire in Yemen’s war to facilitate aid to civilians in need.

Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir made the announcement at a news conference with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.

That means the Saudi-led coalition of Arab countries will cease airstrikes in Yemen. Al-Jubeir said he hoped Iran-backed Houthis rebels will halt attacks on the ground.

Aid groups say millions of Yemenis are in need of food, fuel and medicine.

It was unclear when the so-called “humanitarian pause” would start.

Source:: Indian Express