For two months: the United Nations announces a ceasefire agreement in Yemen

According to the United Nations, the guns in Yemen will remain silent for two months, giving hundreds of thousands a respite. The planned start of the ceasefire coincides with the beginning of the month of Ramadan.

According to the United Nations, the warring parties in Yemen have agreed to a two-month ceasefire. UN Special Envoy Hans Grundberg said it should start on Saturday evening at 7:00 pm local time. If all parties agree, it can also be extended.

The start of the ceasefire coincides with the start of the Islamic month of fasting, Ramadan.

A unilateral ceasefire was announced earlier

Earlier this weekend, the Houthi rebels announced a three-day ceasefire and offered to turn it into a permanent ceasefire. On Wednesday, Saudi Arabia announced that no operations would be conducted in Yemen during the month of Ramadan. The goal is to create a positive environment for negotiations.

In the previous week, Houthi rebels also attacked targets in Saudi Arabiawhich responded with retaliatory strikes.

Famine in Yemen is one of the biggest humanitarian disasters

In 2014, Houthi rebels seized large parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa. Since 2015, Saudi Arabia has been conducting a military operation against the Houthis with other countries and with the internationally recognized government. Sunni Saudi Arabia considers them an ally of its Shiite rival Iran.

According to the United Nations, about 380,000 people were killed in the conflict, and millions more were forced to flee. There is a serious famine that especially affects the weakest: according to the United Nations, about two million children under the age of five suffer from malnutrition. The United Nations is talking about the largest humanitarian disaster in the world.