RIYADH: The Saudi-led coalition that has bombed the militia Houthi group in Yemen since March unilaterally declared a five-day humanitarian truce from Monday to allow aid deliveries, the SPA reported.
The cease-fire will take effect from midnight on Sunday, a statement said, with the coalition reserving the right to respond to “military activity or movement” by the Houthis.
The SPA said the decision was taken at the request of Yemen’s President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, who is based in the Saudi capital with much of his government.
Hadi, whose supporters have recaptured most of the southern port of Aden from the Houthi militia after four months of war, wanted the truce for the “delivery and distribution of the maximum amount of humanitarian and medical aid,” it said.
Two previous cease-fires brokered by the United Nations failed to take hold.
Meanwhile, officials said 20 people died in clashes in Yemen's Marib province and the city of Taiz between Iran-backed rebels and pro-government forces.
Medical sources in Marib said clashes there killed nine rebels and seven anti-Houthi tribesmen.
Medical and security officials in Taiz say Houthi shelling killed four civilians. Security officials in the southern port city of Aden say clashes also raged north of the city.