Saudis offer cease-fire, vow retribution against Yemeni rebels
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 8 May 2015 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Saudis offer cease-fire, vow retribution against Yemeni rebels, 8 May 2015, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/5565ba8a32.html [accessed 20 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
May 08, 2015
Saudi Arabia said May 7 it is prepared to begin a five-day, renewable cease-fire in Yemen so that humanitarian aid can reach millions of civilians threatened by the conflict.
The cease-fire offer in a joint announcement by the Saudi foreign minister and U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry came even as a Saudi-led coalition that has waged an air war against Yemen's Huthi rebels vowed to exact "a harsh and expensive price" because the rebels killed at least five people in Saudi Arabia's border region.
"The safety of Saudi Arabia is a top priority for the coalition and the Saudi armed forces. It is a red line they crossed," said coalition spokesman Brigadier General Ahmed al-Assiri.
Assiri said an operation to respond "starts now" and will target "all the leaders of the organisation, the areas they gather, their leadership locations, and the planners. And it will not be a limited operation."
His vow came as Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir and Kerry in Riyadh hailed the cease-fire offer as a "major opportunity" to ease the crisis. Yemeni rebels, which are backed by Iran, have not responded to the offer.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
