Jordan to host UN-backed talks on Yemen

The conflict in Yemen began after the Iran-backed Houthi militia took over the capital Sanaa in September 2014. (AFP)

CAIRO: A spokesman for Jordan’s Foreign Ministry says the country will host a round of UN-backed talks between the internationally recognized government of Yemen and the Iran-backed Houthi militia, about a prisoner swap deal next week.
Sufian Al-Qudah said Saturday that Jordan agreed to host the Yemenis at the UN’s request.
The conflict in Yemen began after the Houthis took over the capital Sanaa in September 2014, and it was exacerbated when a Saudi-led coalition, supported by the US, launched a campaign in 2015 to reinstall the government.
The prisoner exchange agreement was reached during talks in Sweden in December, an effort to end a war that has put Yemen on the brink of famine. Most other attempts have failed.