SANAA, Yemen (AP) — Residents of a western Yemeni city say fighting between Shiite rebels and government forces there has marred the first day of a U.N.-brokered cease-fire.
The truce between the Saudi-led coalition, which backs Yemen’s internationally recognized government, and rebel Houthis went into effect at midnight Sunday. It’s meant to give Yemen’s warring sides time to prepare for U.N.-sponsored peace talks, scheduled to take place in Kuwait on April 18.
Residents of Taiz, which has been besieged by the rebels for over a year, are blaming the Houthis for the overnight random shelling that killed one civilian and wounded four. They spoke Monday on condition of anonymity, fearing for their safety.
The Saudi-led coalition has said it will commit to the open-ended cease-fire and halt its yearlong air campaign against the rebels.