The Saudi-led alliance fighting Yemen’s Houthi rebels has announced a ceasefire from Wednesday.

The coalition explained that it would observe a ceasefire to create propitious conditions for successful consultations and a favourable environment for Ramadan to make peace and achieve security and stability in Yemen.

The UN had earlier called for a cessation of hostilities during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, which begins at the start of April.

In mid-March, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) invited the parties to the conflict to talks in Riyadh.

The week-long consultation was due to start on March 29, but the Houthis declined to participate.

The civil war in Yemen is entering its eighth year.

UN figures show that it has triggered the world’s worst humanitarian crisis in the severely impoverished country.

Saudi Arabia and its allies have been fighting alongside the government in Yemen against Iran-backed Houthis since 2015, seeking to reduce Tehran’s influence.

The Houthi rebels control large parts of the north, including Sana’a. So far, all diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have failed.

(dpa/NAN)