Ansarullah fighters, militants sign peace deal in Yemen

According to reports, Ansarullah fighters from the Shia Houthi movement signed a second truce agreement with the militants on Saturday after their earlier pact was interrupted by deadly clashes.

Under the new agreement, all Ansarullah fighters from Ibb should be allowed to safely withdraw from Ibb, situated 194 kilometers south of the capital, Sana’a.

The first ceasefire deal, which was signed on Friday, was soon violated after the conflicting sides engaged in fierce fighting in Ibb on Saturday morning. Some 16 people were killed in the clashes.

On October 15, Ansarullah fighters entered Ibb onboard dozens of armored vehicles, and set up security checkpoints there.

Houthi fighters also took control of the strategic town of Rada’ in the central province of al-Bayda on Friday. Al-Qaeda-linked militants were controlling the town for nearly two years.

In September, Ansarullah revolutionary fighters gained control over Sana’a following a four-day battle with army forces loyal to General Ali Mohsen al-Ahmar, the half-brother of former dictator, Ali Abdullah Saleh.

The Ansarullah movement played a major role in the popular uprising that forced Saleh to step down after more than 33 years in power.

Yemen has been facing threats from al-Qaeda-linked militants, as well as a separatist movement in the country’s southern region.

HK