62 Killed in Battles in Yemen Despite Ceasefire

Sana\'a (Antara/Xinhua-OANA) - Battles between the Shiite Houthi fighters and tribal militia continued in Yemen\'s southern provinces on Saturday, despite a humanitarian pause that came into effect four days ago, which make it difficult for agencies to deliver food to millions of people deprived of food, medicine and fuel. At least 62 people, including 23 civilians, were killed in fightings on Saturday between Houthis supported by army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and tribal fighters loyal to exiled Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi in southern provinces of Aden, Taiz, al-Dhalee, Shabwa, and central provinces of al-Bayda and Marib. Saudi Arabia, along with eight other Arab states, have been bombing the Houthi group and forces loyal to former President Ali Abdullash Saleh since March 26, aiming to restore the rule by exiled President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The coalition forces suspended air raids on Tuesday night when a five-day humanitarian truce began to allow in humanitarian needs to be delivered to Yemen. However, battles between tribal fighters loyal to Hadi and the Houthis continued in southern provinces. The five-day humanitarian pause is due to end on Sunday as Saudi Arabia accused the Houthi group of repeatedly violating the truce, vowing it will not allow another pause in the future if Houthis continue offensive in southern cities. The Yemeni Shiite Houthi group agreed Thursday with UN special envoy for Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, to resume UN-brokered talks as long as the Saudi-led air campaign is halted, suggesting Geneva, instead of Riyadh, should be picked to host the talks, according to government officials.(*)