SULAIMANI (ESTA) — Iraq on Saturday welcomed a U.N.-brokered truce in Yemen between a Saudi-led coalition and the Houthi group aligned with Tehran.
“Political solution is the only way to end the war” in Yemen, the Iraqi foreign ministry said in a statement.
“All efforts should be combined together to get Yemen out of its crisis, end the suffering of its people and start building the future of its generations, by designing a framework that prepares for a negotiating process that guarantees a comprehensive and sustainable peace,” it added.
The two-month truce, which coincides with the start of the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan, is the first time since 2016 that warring sides have agreed a nationwide cessation of hostilities.
The conflict has killed tens of thousands and pushed millions into hunger.
The deal includes a halt to offensive military operations, including cross-border attacks, and also allows fuel imports into areas controlled by the Iran-aligned Houthi group and some commercial flights to operate from the Houthi-held capital Sanaa.
The conflict is widely seen as a proxy war between Sunni Muslim Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran.
Iran on Saturday said it hoped the truce could presage a complete lifting of the blockade and a permanent ceasefire.
