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Yemeni military soldiers

The discussions, brokered by the United Nations, kicked off in Switzerland last Wednesday on the condition that parties agreed to suspend the hostilities that have devastated the country. The conflict began in 2011 but has dramatically intensified over the course of 2015.

The UN special envoy to Yemen, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, announced yesterday he will be adjourning peace talks for a month to ensure adherence to the ceasefire, “given the centrality” of this to the success of the talks.

Ould Cheikh Ahmed said the talks have been constructive, parties have engaged well and “serious progress” has been made, and an attempt would be made to restart the talks on 14 January 2016.

The conflict so far has pushed the country to the brink of famine, devastated its health and education services in particular and left humanitarian agencies unable to adequately respond, with few resources and fighting in many areas blocking aid from getting through.