On 5th anniversary of Yemen war, hostilities suspended to prepare for Covid-19

On the fifth anniversary of Saudi involvement in the Yemen conflict, all warring parties offered support on for the United Nations' call for a ceasefire to protect civilians from the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Yemen's broken healthcare system has not so far recorded a case of coronavirus but aid groups have warned that when it does hit, the impact will be catastrophic in a country already regarded as facing the world's worst humanitarian crisis AFP

But the war, started when Saudi Arabia's intervened in Yemen's civil conflict, is far from over, and Houthi rebels seem stronger than ever.

So far, Yemen's healthcare system has not recorded a case of coronavirus but aid groups have warned that when it does hit, the impact will be catastrophic.

Millions of people have been displaced and diseases including cholera are widespread due to the scarcity of clean water.

UN Secretary General Antonio Gutteres TONY KARUMBA / AFP

Saudi Arabia, the Yemen government and the rebels all welcomed the appeal from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres who this week called for an "immediate global ceasefire" to help avert disaster for vulnerable people in conflict zones.

However, the Yemen conflict has been punctuated by failed agreements, and negotiating a pause could be very difficult. None of the parties to the conflict spelt out any mechanism for the process.

The conflict in Yemen between a Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Huthi rebels has killed tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, and sparked what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis AFP/File

De-escalate acts of violence

"The government of Yemen welcomes the call of the UN chief... for a ceasefire in the face of coronavirus, and to de-escalate acts of violence in the entire country," it said in a statement.

"The political, economic and health situation require halting all escalations... to preserve people's lives and deal responsibly with this pandemic."

The Saudi-led coalition also backed the initiative, saying: "We support the Yemeni government's decision to accept the UN's calls for a ceasefire."

Strong position

The Huthis, who move into the sixth year of the conflict in a strong position with more strategic gains in recent months in the country's north, also welcomed Guterres's call to wind back fighting.

Mehdi al-Mashat, head of the Huthis' political wing, expressed the insurgents' "total readiness to be open to all efforts and initiatives in the context of a full and real ceasefire".

In his appeal from UN headquarters in New York on Monday, Guterres said: "The fury of the virus illustrates the folly of war.

"That is why today, I am calling for an immediate global ceasefire in all corners of the world."

(-with agencies)