Last April, a UN-brokered truce took effect in war-torn Yemen between the Saudi-backed government and the Houthi rebels. In August, the truce was extended for a second time, marking the longest stable armistice since Saudi Arabia began its intervention in 2015. But with the truce set to expire again on 2 October, it is vital to capitalise on this window of opportunity to make substantive progress towards peace and stability in Yemen.
The truce has reportedly had major effects in reducing levels of violence, including a 60 percent decrease in civilian casualties, along with a resumption of flights from Sanaa to Amman and Cairo, and an easing of the country's fuel shortage. The truce has had less of an impact on opening safe corridors for humanitarian assistance in places such as Taiz.
The UN is now hoping to secure an expanded truce agreement to "provide an opportunity to negotiate a nationwide ceasefire, humanitarian and economic issues, and to prepare for the resumption of the Yemeni-led political process under UN auspices to reach a sustainable and just peace"...
Read the original Op-ed on Middle East Eye