The UN Special Envoy to Yemen Martin Griffiths is waiting for a Houthi response to the peace initiative he sent to the country’s warring parties a few days ago. The internationally recognized government of Yemen has already responded positively to the initiative.

In the event that Houthis give a positive response to the initiative, a crisis meeting will be held between the conflicting parties.

The meeting will be followed by consecutive meetings to stabilize the comprehensive ceasefire, and move forward with comprehensive political peace negotiations for the Yemeni issue, sources revealed.

On April 8, the Arab Coalition backing the Yemeni government had announced a two-week ceasefire that was extended to a month based on Griffiths’ demand. Houthis, on the other hand, did not commit to any truce and continued the group’s military operations on multiple fronts.

The Arab Coalition announced that 121 Houthi violations of the ceasefire had been recorded in Yemen during the past 24 hours, noting that the number of violations reached 2797 violations since the ceasefire was announced.

“The UN Envoy presented a plan to Yemen’s warring sides, and has received a positive response from the government. He is waiting on the Houthi response,” British Ambassador to Yemen Micheal Aron told Asharq Al-Awsat, adding that his office has pressed Houthis into showing leniency towards the offer.

Aron revealed that Houthis said they were drafting up a response to the initiative and that it is expected to be a positive one. The UK diplomat gave no further details.

The crisis and ceasefire meetings, should Houthis accept the initiative, will be held virtually given the outbreak of the novel coronavirus.

As for field developments, military sources reported that fierce clashes had erupted on Saturday in the northeastern Sirwah district, nestled west of Marib Governorate. Fighting broke out after Yemeni Army units foiled an attack plotted by Houthis against Army positions in the district.

A prominent Houthi rebel commander was already killed Thursday amid fierce clashes, according to local sources.

Mohamed Abdel Karim al-Hamran, who commanded special forces in Marib and Bayda provinces, was buried in the capital Sana’a, according to the SANA news agency.

Al-Hamran was killed during a clash with government forces in Sirwah district of Marib province, Mohammed Jumeh, ambassador and permanent delegate of the Republic of Yemen to UNESCO, said on Twitter.

Jumeh added that it was a painful blow to the Houthi militia.