UAE soldier dies in Yemen

This content was originally posted in 7DAYS UAE website at: UAE soldier dies in Yemen The General Command of the UAE Armed Forces has announced the martyrdom of one of its soldiers, Sultan Mohammed Ali Al Kattbi, as part of Taiz liberation operations in Yemen in the ongoing Operation Restoring Hope, led by Saudi Arabia to support the legitimate government. The General command of the UAE Armed Forces sends its condolences to the family of the martyr, UAE news agency WAM reported. The death comes as Yemen’s internationally recognised government and Houthi rebels who have controlled the capital Sanaa since September last year agreed to start a week-long ceasefire on the eve of direct talks in Geneva, both sides confirmed. President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi was due to order his commanders to halt all fire five minutes before midnight on Monday, said officials in Hadi’s office. “We have agreed to the ceasefire to lift the suffering of our people and to deliver humanitarian assistance to them,” Mohammed Abdel Salam, the spokesman of the Houthis, said Sat a news conference in Sanaa as the Houthi delegation prepared to depart for Geneva. The internationally recognised government has long requested the unconditional implementation of a UN Security Council resolution that requires the rebels to withdraw from all areas they control and lay down arms captured in months of fighting. Abdel Salam said the Houthi delegation will discuss the resolution at the talks in Geneva which were due to begin on Monday. But so far, the Houthis have not said they would agree to its terms. The Security Council approved the resolution in April, after the Saudi-led coalition began launching airstrikes in March against the Houthi rebels in support of the Hadi’s government. Even with the approaching ceasefire, clashes intensified across several front lines in the country. More than 27 fighters from both sides were killed in Taiz and Lahj provinces late on Friday and Saturday, while 16 pro-government fighters and 10 Houthi fighters were killed in Jawf province, according to independent security officials. The Saudi-led coalition also continued to carry out air strikes against Houthi positions, according to the officials. At least 2,695 civilians have died since the anti-Houthi airstrikes began in March, according to the UN. news@7days.ae Read the original story at: UAE soldier dies in Yemen