Germany backs US call for ceasefire in Yemen

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

Germany on Thursday backed a U.S. call for a cessation of hostilities in the Yemen war.

“An unprecedented humanitarian tragedy is happening in Yemen,” German foreign minister Heiko Maas said on Twitter, and warned that the military clashes were further deepening the humanitarian crisis.

“It’s time for a cease-fire and for the restart of talks. We are strongly supporting the U.S. initiative,” he said.

Nearly 12 million people in Yemen are on the verge of famine, according to the U.N.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on all conflict parties in Yemen to agree on a cease-fire "in the next 30 days".

Impoverished Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.

The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.

By Ayhan Simsek

BERLIN

Germany on Thursday backed a U.S. call for a cessation of hostilities in the Yemen war.

“It’s time for a cease-fire and for the restart of talks. We are strongly supporting the U.S. initiative,” he said.

Nearly 12 million people in Yemen are on the verge of famine, according to the U.N.

On Wednesday, U.S. Secretary of Defense Jim Mattis and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo called on all conflict parties in Yemen to agree on a cease-fire "in the next 30 days".

Impoverished Yemen has remained wracked by violence since 2014, when Shia Houthi rebels overran much of the country, including the capital, Sanaa.

The conflict escalated in 2015 when Saudi Arabia and its Sunni-Arab allies launched a massive air campaign in Yemen aimed at rolling back Houthi gains.