Ceasefire takes effect in Yemen, says Saudi-led coalition

The Saudi-led coalition battling Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said on Tuesday that a ceasefire had begun at noon as scheduled.

The Saudi-led coalition battling Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen said on Tuesday that a ceasefire had begun at noon as scheduled.

This handout picture realeased by UN Photo shows a general view of the room at the opening of Yemen peace talks in Magglingen, northen Switzerland. (AFP)

Coalition spokesperson brigadier general Ahmed al-Assiri confirmed that the truce had taken effect. The rebel forces have yet to say if they will abide by the ceasefire.

It coincides with the start of United Nations-brokered talks in Switzerland between Yemeni government and rebel representatives.

Shortly after the ceasefire began, mortar rounds hit pro-government forces south of the flashpoint city of Taez, a Yemeni security official said.

“Five mortar rounds hit positions of the legitimate forces in Shuraija after the truce entered into effect,” said police officer Taha al-Subhi.

Residents in Taez reported hearing shelling in the city. The coalition said earlier that the truce followed a request by Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, but warned it “reserves the right to respond in case of any violation” by the rebels.

In May a five-day pause in fighting proposed by Saudi Arabia allowed some aid into Yemen before the coalition resumed air strikes, blaming ceasefire violations by the Iran-backed Houthi rebels.

The coalition began air strikes in March after the Houthis and their allies overran much of Yemen. It later sent in ground troops.