Houthi Announcement Of Potential Ceasefire In Yemen 'Step In Right Direction' - Pentagon

The announcement by the Houthi rebels of their readiness to establish a ceasefire with the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen is a step in the right direction, Us Department of Defense spokesperson Robert Manning told reporters on Monday.

WASHINGTON (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th November, 2018) The announcement by the Houthi rebels of their readiness to establish a ceasefire with the Saudi-led coalition operating in Yemen is a step in the right direction, Us Department of Defense spokesperson Robert Manning told reporters on Monday.

The Houthi rebels said on Monday that they are ready to declare a ceasefire with the Saudi-led coalition and a peaceful settlement of the crisis in Yemen, the Houthi Supreme Revolutionary Committee said in a statement obtained by Sputnik.

Manning noted the United States supports a ceasefire and peace talks in Yemen and continues to strongly support the efforts of UN Special Envoy Griffiths to bring all sides of the conflict to the negotiating table.

"We believe that with those consultations that have begun that's certainly a step in the right direction," Manning said.

In September, the United Nations attempted to hold peace talks between Yemen's warring parties in Geneva, but the Houthis said they were prevented from leaving Yemen - allegations the Saudi-led coalition denied.

Yemen's President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi's government and the Shiite Houthi movement have been in a state of war since 2015. The government is backed by the Saudi-led coalition that has been carrying out military operations targeting areas controlled by the Houthis since March 2015.