This marked the latest of several ceasefires announced by Yemen. Heavy
fighting was reported over the last week despite an agreement by the
Believing Youth to Sanaa's six conditions for a truce, including a rebel
withdrawal.
Officials said four joint panels would be established and sent to the
Saada province to monitor the ceasefire. They said the Saleh regime would
reconstruct areas damaged by the latest fighting.
"According to what was agreed upon, [Shi'ite rebel leader] Abdul Malik
Badr Eddin Al Houthi issued instructions to all fronts and battle areas to
stop firing in accordance with the timing announced by the government," the
Believing Youth said on Feb. 11.
Sanaa has demanded the return of seized Yemeni and Saudi military
equipment as well as the release of all soldiers and civilians. Other
conditions included the Shi'ite rebel withdrawal from areas captured over
the last few months near the Saudi-Yemeni border.
Saudi Arabia has not responded to the latest ceasefire decision by
Yemen. Shi'ite rebels reported intense Saudi air strikes on northern Yemen,
including 33 air strikes on Feb. 9. Shi'ite rebels said 120 Saudi missiles
were fired.
The Believing Youth said the Royal Saudi Air Force was using its
Western-origin fighter-jet fleet to support Yemeni troops. The rebels said a
Yemeni infantry brigade was surrounded and attacked.
"After all hope was lost to supply the infantry brigade and attempts
from all directions to break the siege failed, Saudi aircraft dropped
packages of food to the [Yemeni] paratroopers, which fell outside the siege
area," a rebel statement said.