Houthi militants have moved towards accepting a proposed 5-day ceasefire in Yemen, as the United Nations representative in the country criticised airstrikes being carried out by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition.
The ceasefire could begin on Tuesday if both sides agree, however the Houthis warned that "any military violation of the ceasefire from al Qaeda and those who stand with it and support it and fund it will be responded to by the army and security and the popular committees".
A Houthi statement also pledged to deal “positively” with the ceasefire and any humanitarian efforts in the country.
The latest development comes as the UN humanitarian co-ordinator for Yemen, Johannes Van Der Klauuw, said he was "deeply concerned" by Saudi Arabia led airstrikes against the Houthis, saying the conflict “is taking a dreadful toll on civilians”.
“I am deeply concerned about the impact of yesterday's airstrikes on Sa'ada, where scores of civilians were reportedly killed and thousands were forced to flee their homes after the coalition declared the entire governorate a military target,” said Mr van der Klauuw.
With reports of up to 140 strikes hitting the Houthi-held city of Saada on Friday night alone, Teresa Sancristoval from medical charity MSF stated that 5 of her team members were forced to flee the city for safety.
Air strikes have killed at least 1,400 people says the UN, with more than half of them being civilians.