A truce for a period of two months, subject to extension, entered into force in Yemen at around seven o'clock this evening, Saturday, amid cautious optimism by Yemenis and an internal, international and regional welcome.
A statement issued by the office of UN envoy Hans Grundberg said, "The truce, which will last for two months, began at seven in the evening today. Starting from tonight, all offensive military operations by land, air and sea will stop."
The UN envoy stressed that "the success of this initiative depends on the warring parties' continued commitment to implementing the armistice agreement, including the accompanying humanitarian measures."
According to the statement, "the terms of the armistice agreement include facilitating the entry of 18 ships carrying fuel to the ports of Hodeidah, and allowing two flights to and from Sanaa airport every week."
Calm on the front
Anadolu Agency said that calm prevailed on various fronts during the past hours, as no confrontations or air raids were announced.
Efforts have intensified in recent days, as Grundberg met Thursday with representatives of the Houthis in the Sultanate of Oman, in addition to a series of meetings he held with the internationally recognized Yemeni government in Riyadh.
The announcement of the armistice coincided with discussions between some parties to the conflict in Yemen hosted by Saudi Arabia, which is leading a military coalition against the Houthis.
Despite their refusal to participate in the talks, the Houthis last week made a surprise offer of a temporary truce and a prisoner exchange.
Subsequently, the coalition, which began its intervention in Yemen in March 2015, announced that it would halt military operations in Yemen during the month of Ramadan.
first step
"The parties agreed to stop all offensive military operations, including air, land and sea operations, inside Yemen and across its borders," Grundberg said in a statement on Friday.
The UN envoy explained that they had agreed to "the entry of oil derivatives ships to the ports of Hodeidah and the conduct of commercial flights to and from Sanaa Airport towards pre-specified destinations in the region."
He added, "The parties also agreed to meet under my auspices to discuss opening roads in Taiz and other governorates in Yemen."
Grundberg thanked the Houthis and the internationally recognized government for working with him "in good faith and for making the concessions necessary to reach this agreement."
He considered that "the armistice is only a first step whose time has come after a long delay."
International welcome
In addition to Britain and France, US President Joe Biden on Friday welcomed the truce, describing it as "a breather that the Yemeni people have been waiting for a long time", but considered it "insufficient."
"These are important steps, but they are not sufficient," Biden said in a statement. "The ceasefire must be upheld. As I said earlier, it is imperative that this war end."
The Norwegian Refugee Council also welcomed the move and said, "We really hope that this will be the beginning of a new chapter, giving Yemenis a chance to get back on their feet in peace and stability."
The truce was also welcomed by the Saudi-led military coalition.
The Yemeni government and the Houthis also welcomed the announcement of the truce.
"We welcome the announcement of a humanitarian truce, according to which military operations will stop and Sana'a International Airport will be opened for a number of flights, as well as the opening of the Hodeidah port to oil derivatives for a number of ships during the two months of the truce," Houthi spokesman Muhammad Abdul Salam wrote in a tweet.
The Houthi military spokesman, Yahya Saree, tweeted, "We announce the entry into force of the humanitarian and military truce, and our commitment to a comprehensive cessation of military operations as long as the other party adheres to this."
In accordance with what was agreed upon with the national delegation in Muscat, we announce the entry into force of the humanitarian and military truce and our commitment to a comprehensive cessation of military operations as long as the other party adheres to this.
— Brigadier General Yahya Saree (@army21ye) April 2, 2022
Cautious optimism
For Yemenis, the announcement of the truce represents a glimmer of hope, but it was greeted with caution by residents in different cities before its entry into force today, Saturday.
In Sanaa, which is under the control of the Houthis, Ali Yahya stressed that this is a "good gesture", expressing his hope "that the truce will continue in order to stop the bloodshed and stop the problems."
In the coastal city of Hodeidah (west), also under the control of the Houthis, Asma Zaid, a 21-year-old university student who works in a commercial store, said, "This time, I am optimistic. The announcement of the truce is different from every time, and its arrival with the month of Ramadan gives us great hope."