Rebels in Yemen say they will respond “positively” to a ceasefire offer by the Saudi-led coalition that has been carrying out air strikes against them, Arab media reported on Sunday.
Saudi Arabia has offered a five-day truce starting on Tuesday, to allow the delivery of humanitarian supplies. The air raids have killed at least 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in recent weeks, the UN says.
The Shia Houthi rebels from northern Yemen launched an offensive last year and now control much of the country.
The Saudi-led coalition aims to restore the government of exiled President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi – who fled the rebel-controlled capital, Sanaa, in February.
Earlier, Saudi Arabia offered the five-day truce starting on Tuesday – but warned that it would respond to any violations.
Early on Sunday, the rebels’ al-Massirah TV channel said they would “deal positively with any efforts, calls or measures that would help end the suffering”.
A spokesman for renegade Yemeni troops allied to the Houthis has already said they fully accepted the proposal.
On 21 April, the Saudi-led coalition announced an end to its bombing campaign in Yemen, but resumed air strikes within hours.
