Yemen: agreement between the government and the separatists of the South for a cease-fire

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Government forces and separatists in southern Yemen have agreed to a ceasefire, Saudi Arabia's government supporters announced on Monday. Talks are expected to take place soon.

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Clashes have increased in recent weeks in southern Yemen. The last dated back to last Saturday with the capture of Socotra, a strategic island off Aden by the separatists of the Southern Transition Council.

The latter declared their autonomy on April 26 and since then have multiplied military conquests at the expense of Yemeni government forces.

The two parties are however supposed to be allies in the fight against the Houthi rebels in the north of the country. This conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and caused a serious humanitarian crisis. The confrontations in the South are therefore a war in the war which makes the situation even more complex.

The ceasefire announced by Saudi Arabia, support of the Yemeni government, should be followed by talks in the kingdom. A peace agreement had already been sealed last November in Riyadh after months of violence. The text provided for power sharing in southern Yemen. But since then, the deal has been shattered.

► To read also: [Analysis] Yemen: understanding such a long conflict

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