There is a small glimmer of hope for peace in Yemen. In these hours the different warring factions welcomed a United Nations request for a ceasefire with immediate effect while the country, which has entered its sixth year of war, faces a serious humanitarian crisis and the danger of a possible coronavirus epidemic, Asia News reported.

Last night a spokesman for the Saudi-led Arab coalition said he supported the Yemeni government’s decision to follow up on the UN peace appeal. The same position was also held by the opposite front, the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels who control the capital Sana’a.

In the recent situation the ceasefire is essential, however, the coronavirus epidemic has a devastating impact. “We have a global coronavirus pandemic threatening to overwhelm an already broken health care system,” said Tamuna Sabadze, country director at the International Rescue Committee, adding that Yemen is already battling a large cholera outbreak.

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Photo: Ibrahem Qasim (Public domain)