Friday, September 27, 2019

Saudi Arabia Agrees to Partial Cease-Fire in War-Shattered Yemen

Saudi Arabia has moved to impose a partial cease-fire in Yemen, say people familiar with the plans, as Riyadh and the Houthi militants the kingdom is fighting try to bring an end to the four-year war that has become a front line in the broader regional clash with Iran.

Saudi Arabia's decision follows a surprise move by Houthi forces to declare a unilateral cease-fire in Yemen last week, just days after claiming responsibility for the Sept. 14 drone and cruise missile strike on Saudi Arabia's oil industry.

While the Houthis fired two missiles at Saudi Arabia earlier this week, the strike wasn't seen by Saudi leaders as a serious attack that would undermine the new cease-fire efforts.

Some Houthi leaders privately disavowed the group's claim of responsibility for the Sept. 14 attack, according to two Saudi officials who asked not to be identified.

Yemen's war has become a political and military morass for Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the country's de facto ruler and original architect of the war plans.

The U.S. has accused Iran of providing the Houthis with missiles, drones and training they have used to target Saudi Arabia for years.

Saudi Arabia has been accused of carrying out errant airstrikes that have killed thousands of civilians.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/saudi-arabia-agrees-partial-cease-fire-in-war-shattered-yemen-11569580029?mod=hp_lista_pos1

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