The peace talks between pro-government fighters and Shiite rebels began Tuesday in the Swiss village of Macolin.
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The casualties were 28 troops and 40 Houthi militiamen, with another 50 Houthis and 40 loyalists wounded. Dozens of tanks and armored vehicles were destroyed, according to the witnesses and security officials, who remain neutral in the conflict that has splintered the Arab world’s poorest country. The Hajjah Province lies along Yemen’s border with Saudi Arabia. Local affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State group have exploited the chaos to grab land and exercise influence.
The Houthis expressed annoyance at the UN Special Envoy for failing to condemn the violations, and suspended their involvement in peace talks because of the continued airstrikes, saying they won’t resume talks until there is a UN statement condemning them.
Houthi and government delegates have been meeting in Biel in Switzerland to try to end months of fighting. The ceasefire was put in place to ensure the safe delivery of urgently needed humanitarian aid.
Loyalists Sunday attacked rebel positions in the northern Jawf province after seizing the provincial capital two days earlier from the Houthi rebels, pro-government militia sources said.
The five prisoners, including Defense Minister Mahmoud Subaihi and Gen. Nasser Mansour Hadi, brother of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi, were to have been handed over to the Red Cross on Saturday.
The warring sides agreed on Saturday to form a committee to oversee a fragile seven-day truce that came into effect on December 15 and has been violated several times.
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They spoke anonymously as they weren’t approved to temporary reporters.
