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Saudi Arabia offers five-day cease-fire in Yemen after talks with Kerry (w/video)

 
Secretary of State John Kerry held a news conference in Riyadh.
Secretary of State John Kerry held a news conference in Riyadh.
Published May 8, 2015

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia —Saudi Arabia offered Thursday to suspend attacks in Yemen during a five-day "humanitarian pause" after appeals from Secretary of State John Kerry to allow greater aid into the war-battered nation.

But it was not clear when the break in the conflict could start. It also appeared to hinge on whether rebel groups in Yemen agree to the conditions of the cease-fire, which Saudi officials say could be extended if tensions ease.

The Saudi pledge was a boost for Kerry's efforts to expand help for refugees and others suffering in Yemen, where a Saudi-led coalition began airstrikes in late March after rebels ousted the country's Western-allied president.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir, speaking at a news conference with Kerry, called on the Yemen insurgents to halt their ground operations during the proposed five-day halt.

Al-Jubeir also held out prospects for a longer lull: saying the cease-fire could be extended rebels agree to abide by the "pause" and not use the halt in airstrikes to gain new territory.

"There will be a cease-fire everywhere, or there will be a cease-fire nowhere," he said.

The United Nations and other relief agencies estimate more than half of Yemen's people have either been driven from their homes by fighting or face shortages of water, medicine and other vital supplies.

Yemen has endured years of conflict, including U.S. drone strikes against an al-Qaida's branch. But the country's humanitarian crisis sharply escalated in the showdown between a Saudi-led coalition and rebels known as Houthis.

Houthi fighters and their allies have control of large areas of Yemen, including the capital Sana. Saudi Arabia and other Gulf Arab nations claim the rebels are backed by Shiite power Iran, their chief regional rival. Iran denies any direct links to the rebels, but has denounced the Saudi-led airstrikes.

Kerry underscored that the cease-fire is now up to the Houthis, and requires a complete quieting of arms.

"No bombing, no shooting, no repositioning of troops to achieve military advantage," he said. "We strongly urge the Houthis and those who back them to use all their influence not to miss this major opportunity."

Kerry said he expects more details on the possible cease-fire could emerge today in Paris, where Kerry will join foreign ministers of the six-nation Gulf Cooperation Council to discuss the situation in Yemen and the status of nuclear talks with Iran.