Saudi-led coalition ending Yemen ceasefire, state news agency says

Saudi-led air strikes targeting Iranian-allied Houthi forces intensified in Yemen on Tuesday, residents said, an escalation of a nine-month-old war that follows a rise in tensions between the kingdom and arch foe Tehran.

Saudi-led coalition warplanes have stepped up attacks on positions held by Yemen’s former President Ali Abdullah Saleh and Shia Muslim Houthi group following the termination of a two-week humanitarian cease-fire.

Saudi Arabia is leading a military coalition that has been battling Houthis in neighbouring Yemen since March.

“All this shows their lack of seriousness and disregard for civilian lives as well as their attempt to take advantage of the truce to achieve gains”, it said. The coalition later brought in ground troops and retook some territory and the port city of Aden, where the internationally recognized government is based.

“The leadership of the coalition supporting legitimacy in Yemen announces the end of the truce in Yemen beginning at 1400 (1100 GMT) on Saturday”, the Saudi Press Agency said, as cited by Reuters.

Almost 6,000 people have been killed in Yemen since March, according to United Nations figures.

Truce was marked by repeated violations including multiple missile attacks across Saudi Arabia’s border with Yemen.

The Guardian reported rebels also attacked the besieged city of Taiz.

The U.N. talks have failed to find a political solution that would end the conflict.

The 15 December ceasefire began at the same time as UN-brokered talks aimed at ending Yemen’s conflict.

Meanwhile, Saudi fighter jets bombed the southwestern province of Ta’izz, killing six people and injuring 12 others, most of whom are said to be in serious condition.