LANDMINE GOES OFF KILLING SEVEN INCLUDING CEASEFIRE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

SAADA, Feb. 15 (Saba) – Two soldiers and three Houthi representatives were killed on Monday when a landmine went off while a ceasefire committee was eliminating landmines in Yemen's northern province of Saada.

Two citizens were also killed in the explosion in the district of Al Ukab.

The killed soldiers and Houthis were members of one of the committees supervising the implementation of the ceasefire between the government and the Houthi rebels announced last Thursday.

The explosion occurred as the committees continued to eliminate landmines in many areas of Saada that were previously planted by the rebels during their battles with the army. Others were injured in the explosion and taken to hospital.

Almost five days after the ceasefire was brought into effect, violations are still reported by the Houthi group, though the group said that it is implementing the ceasefire terms reopening roads, eliminating mines and withdrawing from positions.

In this regard, Saada governor was quoted by the September net as saying that the Houthi group was not cooperating on the ceasefire as good as they should.

The newly appointed governor Taha Hajir said that the representatives of the Houthi did not meet the committees in which they were approved to be part, urging them to cooperate further.

However, Hajir said that many displaced people have returned to their villages, pointing out that the local government in Saada is working on plans to restore communication and other basic services to the districts.

Still, the committees are doing their job, with reported violations believed to not affect the ceasefire that ended a years-long conflict in the far north that displaced, according to the UN, about 250000 people.

Earlier today, the group released a soldier of five Saudis who went missing after the Saudi army launched attacked against the Houthi infiltrators who seized Saudi regions few months ago.

FR