Houthi rebels reject extension of Yemen truce

By Aziz al-Ahmadi

SANAA, Yemen (AA) – Yemen’s Houthi rebels said they will reject any extension of a UN-brokered truce with the Yemeni government.

In a statement, the group’s Supreme Political Council dismissed reports about “understanding for renewing the ongoing truce in the country,” the Houthi-run Saba news agency reported.

"The truce in which the aggressor failed to abide by its terms has been a shocking experience, disappointment and can't be renewed in the future," the statement said.

The Houthi group, however, said it is ready to enhance any "honest efforts" that lead to addressing the economic and humanitarian aspects in Yemen.

There was no comment from the Yemeni government or the Saudi-led coalition on the rebel statement.

On June 2, Yemen’s warring rivals agreed to extend the UN-brokered truce for two additional months. Under the ceasefire, which was first reached on April 2, all military operations were halted. The agreement also allowed the operation of commercial flights from rebel-held Sanaa Airport in the Yemeni capital.

Yemen has been engulfed by violence and instability since 2014, when Iran-aligned Houthi rebels captured much of the country, including Sanaa. The Houthis remain in control of the capital, as well as wide swathes of territory, despite a military campaign conducted by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf Arab allies since 2015 aimed at ousting them and restoring the Yemeni government.

The Saudi-led campaign has exacerbated an already dire humanitarian situation in the war-torn nation. Millions suffer from hunger amid persistent famine-like conditions.

Writing by Ahmed Asmar