The UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg arrived in the Houthi-controlled capital Sanaa on Monday to boost the UN-brokered truce. Grundberg is set to meet Houthi leaders to urge implementation of the remaining items of the truce. The cease-fire between the Houthi militia and the Yemeni government, meant to last two months, came into effect on April 2. The truce includes the halt of all ground, aerial and naval offensive operations, and allowing the entry of 18 fuel ships into the ports of Hodeidah and two commercial flights a week to and from the Sanaa International Airport. The Red Sea port city of Hodeidah and Sanaa are under the control of the Houthi militia. The terms also include convening a meeting between the parties to lift the siege, open the roads and allow humanitarian aid access to the government-held Taiz city. The truce would be a major breakthrough in the seven-year civil war in Yemen if fully implemented, as previous cease-fire deals had all failed. The Yemeni government has called on the Houthi militia to return to the negotiating table to reach a political settlement and end the war. The government army has recently advanced on several strategic areas around the Houthi-held northwestern provinces. — Agencies
