Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/amid-announcement-of-gaza-ceasefire-deal-a-look-at-the-key-events-of-the-war-8626882">Gaza</a> starting on Sunday, forces in Iraq and Yemen have said that they will suspend their attacks on Israel.
Although the Israeli cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has yet to confirm the deal, key mediators have announced the agreement between the two sides. The ceasefire has also been welcomed within the Iran-led Axis of Resistance.&nbsp;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-ceasefire-deal-stalled-by-israels-netanyahu-hamas-denies-backtracking-claims-8627077">Netanyahu stalls Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas drops &lsquo;last-minute concessions&rsquo;; group denies backtracking</a>
<h2>'If they return, we will return'</h2>
Akram al-Kaabi, the secretary-general of the Nujaba Movement, said in a statement published on Wednesday, &ldquo;With this important development, we announce that we will suspend our military operations against the entity in solidarity with its halt in Palestine, and to strengthen the continuation of the truce in Gaza.&rdquo;&nbsp;
However, he also warned, &ldquo;Let the usurping entity know that any foolishness on its part in Palestine or the region will be met with a harsh response, and that our fingers are still on the trigger and our missiles and drones are fully prepared. If they return, we will return.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/british-pm-keir-starmer-in-ukraine-to-sign-landmark-100-year-partnership-8627144">British PM Keir Starmer in Ukraine to sign 'landmark 100-year' partnership. What is it?</a>
Mohammed Abdul Salam, a spokesperson for Yemen&rsquo;s Houthi Movement, also announced the group&rsquo;s decision to end its operations against Israel, adding that their &ldquo;battle [is] reaching its conclusion with the declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza.&rdquo; However, he said that Israel&rsquo;s &ldquo;continued occupation of Palestine represents a threat to the security and stability of the region.&rdquo;
Iran&rsquo;s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) also lauded the ceasefire, describing it as a &ldquo;victory&rdquo; for Hamas. The IRGC said in a statement, &ldquo;The end of the war and the imposition of a ceasefire&hellip; is a clear victory and a great victory for Palestine and a bigger defeat for the monstrous Zionist regime.&rdquo;
Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trumps-inauguration-these-top-leaders-and-billionaires-will-attend-the-mega-event-8627312">Trump&rsquo;s inauguration: THESE top leaders and billionaires will attend the mega event</a>
Qatar and the United States, as key mediators, confirmed the agreement. Qatar&rsquo;s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, announced on Wednesday that the ceasefire would begin on Sunday, January 19, marking the start of phase one of the agreement. During this initial phase, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released over 42 days.
(With inputs from agencies)

World, Middle East: Qatar and the United States, as key mediators, confirmed the agreement. Qatar’s Prime Minister announced on Wednesday that the ceasefire would begin on January 19,

Following the announcement of a ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas to end the conflict in Gaza starting on Sunday, forces in Iraq and Yemen have said that they will suspend their attacks on Israel. Although the Israeli cabinet, led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has yet to confirm the deal, key mediators have announced the agreement between the two sides. The ceasefire has also been welcomed within the Iran-led Axis of Resistance. Also read: Netanyahu stalls Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas drops ‘last-minute concessions’; group denies backtracking 'If they return, we will return' Akram al-Kaabi, the secretary-general of the Nujaba Movement, said in a statement published on Wednesday, “With this important development, we announce that we will suspend our military operations against the entity in solidarity with its halt in Palestine, and to strengthen the continuation of the truce in Gaza.” However, he also warned, “Let the usurping entity know that any foolishness on its part in Palestine or the region will be met with a harsh response, and that our fingers are still on the trigger and our missiles and drones are fully prepared. If they return, we will return.” Also read: British PM Keir Starmer in Ukraine to sign 'landmark 100-year' partnership. What is it? Mohammed Abdul Salam, a spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthi Movement, also announced the group’s decision to end its operations against Israel, adding that their “battle [is] reaching its conclusion with the declaration of a ceasefire in Gaza.” However, he said that Israel’s “continued occupation of Palestine represents a threat to the security and stability of the region.” Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) also lauded the ceasefire, describing it as a “victory” for Hamas. The IRGC said in a statement, “The end of the war and the imposition of a ceasefire… is a clear victory and a great victory for Palestine and a bigger defeat for the monstrous Zionist regime.” Also read: Trump’s inauguration: THESE top leaders and billionaires will attend the mega event Qatar and the United States, as key mediators, confirmed the agreement. Qatar’s Prime Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, announced on Wednesday that the ceasefire would begin on Sunday, January 19, marking the start of phase one of the agreement. During this initial phase, 33 Israeli hostages are expected to be released over 42 days. (With inputs from agencies)

‘If they return, we will return’: Iraq, Yemen forces to halt attacks on Israel after Gaza ceasefire

The Iran-allied insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.

Control of the oil-rich region would strengthen the Huthis' bargaining position in peace talks, but the battle has also raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, as many Yemenis had fled to the area to escape fighting in other parts of the country.

On Tuesday, loyalist officials told AFP that pro-government forces had repelled Huthi attacks north of the city in clashes that left 63 rebel and 27 loyalist fighters dead since Monday.

That came despite relative calm in recent weeks amid efforts by the United Nations and Washington to reach a ceasefire.

One loyalist official told AFP that Huthi attacks had hit a "high rate" since Monday.&nbsp;

Yemen's conflict flared in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention to prop up the government the following year.&nbsp;

The fighting has killed tens of thousands and left some 80 percent of Yemenis dependent on aid, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

The war has also displaced millions of people and left the country on the brink of famine.

While the UN and Washington are pushing for an end to the war, the Huthis have demanded the re-opening of Sanaa airport, closed under a Saudi blockade since 2016, before any ceasefire or negotiations.

On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Riyadh was determined to "stop the war and move to the political track" -- but that this "has sadly not met with agreement from the Huthi side".

The outgoing UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths last week told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war had been "in vain".

The Iran-allied insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides.

The Iran-allied insurgents escalated their efforts to seize Marib, the government's last stronghold in northern Yemen, in February, and the fighting has killed hundreds on both sides. Control of the oil-rich region would strengthen the Huthis' bargaining position in peace talks, but the battle has also raised fears of a humanitarian catastrophe, as many Yemenis had fled to the area to escape fighting in other parts of the country. On Tuesday, loyalist officials told AFP that pro-government forces had repelled Huthi attacks north of the city in clashes that left 63 rebel and 27 loyalist fighters dead since Monday. That came despite relative calm in recent weeks amid efforts by the United Nations and Washington to reach a ceasefire. One loyalist official told AFP that Huthi attacks had hit a "high rate" since Monday. Yemen's conflict flared in 2014 when the Huthis seized the capital Sanaa, prompting a Saudi-led military intervention to prop up the government the following year. The fighting has killed tens of thousands and left some 80 percent of Yemenis dependent on aid, in what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The war has also displaced millions of people and left the country on the brink of famine. While the UN and Washington are pushing for an end to the war, the Huthis have demanded the re-opening of Sanaa airport, closed under a Saudi blockade since 2016, before any ceasefire or negotiations. On Tuesday, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said Riyadh was determined to "stop the war and move to the political track" -- but that this "has sadly not met with agreement from the Huthi side". The outgoing UN envoy for Yemen Martin Griffiths last week told the Security Council his own efforts over the past three years to end the war had been "in vain".

Fighting between Yemeni loyalists, Houthi rebels kills 90 in two days

The United Nations called for a humanitarian truce in Yemen&#39;s&nbsp;province of Taiz after government forces captured a town from Iran-allied Houthi militia in heavy fighting that has spurred allegations of war crimes.

The fighting has complicated UN-sponsored peace talks, as envoys for the Houthis have delayed responding to UN&nbsp;proposals calling for Houthi pullouts from cities they control, including the capital Sanaa, and the creation of an inclusive government. 
 
James McGoldrick, the UN&nbsp;Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, voiced alarm at increasing bloodshed in the southwestern Taiz province, particularly the al-Sarari area, and the closure of Taiz city, the regional capital. 
 
He urged all warring parties to agree immediately to a &quot;humanitarian pause&quot; to protect civilians and cooperate with humanitarian agencies to help treat and evacuate war-wounded and deliver urgently needed medicine into the embattled zone. 
 
McGoldrick warned both parties that holding civilian populations hostage and depriving them of humanitarian assistance was illegal under international humanitarian law. 
 
Hadi supporters control most of Taiz, Yemen&#39;s third largest city with an estimated pre-war population of 300,000, but it is sealed off by Houthi forces on three sides. 
 
There were conflicting reports on the fighting in al-Sarari, a Houthi stronghold southeast of Taiz captured by troops loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi earlier this week. 
 
A Houthi envoy on a ceasefire committee assigned to oversee a shaky truce in Taiz wrote to the UN&nbsp;that Sarari residents had been subjected to &quot;war crimes&quot; including house burnings and the detention of 49 civilians including women and children. 
 
&quot;We call on you to swiftly intervene to stop these gangs and limit the massacres they have begun to commit against unarmed civilians,&quot; Ahmed al-Msawa said in the letter, seen by Reuters.

Two residents of a hamlet adjacent to Sarari said that at least 15 Houthi combatants were killed or wounded in the fighting. 
 
They said 40 other Houthis were taken prisoner but denied that any women or children were among them. They said most Sarari residents had fled to neighbouring communities. 
 
Hadi supporters have denied setting fires to houses and accused the Houthis of booby-trapping a Sarari mosque to try to kill as many Hadi supporters as possible. 
 
A Saudi-led alliance intervened in Yemen&#39;s conflict in March 2015 to try to restore Hadi to power after the Houthis seized Sanaa and advanced on his temporary headquarters in Aden, forcing him to flee to Saudi Arabia.

A ceasefire accord between the Houthis and Hadi loyalists has repeatedly been violated since it took effect in April. 
 
Peace talks in Kuwait since then have done little to end fighting that has killed more than 6,200 people and displaced more than 2.5 million in the Arabian Peninsula state. 
 
(Reuters) 
&nbsp;

The fighting between government forces and Houthi forces regarding the control of Taiz has spurred allegations of war crimes

The United Nations called for a humanitarian truce in Yemen's province of Taiz after government forces captured a town from Iran-allied Houthi militia in heavy fighting that has spurred allegations of war crimes. The fighting has complicated UN-sponsored peace talks, as envoys for the Houthis have delayed responding to UN proposals calling for Houthi pullouts from cities they control, including the capital Sanaa, and the creation of an inclusive government. James McGoldrick, the UN Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen, voiced alarm at increasing bloodshed in the southwestern Taiz province, particularly the al-Sarari area, and the closure of Taiz city, the regional capital. He urged all warring parties to agree immediately to a "humanitarian pause" to protect civilians and cooperate with humanitarian agencies to help treat and evacuate war-wounded and deliver urgently needed medicine into the embattled zone. McGoldrick warned both parties that holding civilian populations hostage and depriving them of humanitarian assistance was illegal under international humanitarian law. Hadi supporters control most of Taiz, Yemen's third largest city with an estimated pre-war population of 300,000, but it is sealed off by Houthi forces on three sides. There were conflicting reports on the fighting in al-Sarari, a Houthi stronghold southeast of Taiz captured by troops loyal to President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi earlier this week. A Houthi envoy on a ceasefire committee assigned to oversee a shaky truce in Taiz wrote to the UN that Sarari residents had been subjected to "war crimes" including house burnings and the detention of 49 civilians including women and children. "We call on you to swiftly intervene to stop these gangs and limit the massacres they have begun to commit against unarmed civilians," Ahmed al-Msawa said in the letter, seen by Reuters. Two residents of a hamlet adjacent to Sarari said that at least 15 Houthi combatants were killed or wounded in the fighting. They said 40 other Houthis were taken prisoner but denied that any women or children were among them. They said most Sarari residents had fled to neighbouring communities. Hadi supporters have denied setting fires to houses and accused the Houthis of booby-trapping a Sarari mosque to try to kill as many Hadi supporters as possible. A Saudi-led alliance intervened in Yemen's conflict in March 2015 to try to restore Hadi to power after the Houthis seized Sanaa and advanced on his temporary headquarters in Aden, forcing him to flee to Saudi Arabia. A ceasefire accord between the Houthis and Hadi loyalists has repeatedly been violated since it took effect in April. Peace talks in Kuwait since then have done little to end fighting that has killed more than 6,200 people and displaced more than 2.5 million in the Arabian Peninsula state. (Reuters)

UN?calls?for?humanitarian?truce?in?Yemen's?Taiz province

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported today. 
 
The missile was launched from Yemeni territory heading towards the city of Abha, the capital of southwestern Asir province, and was intercepted at 6:10 am (0310 GMT), SPA reported. 
 
Houthi forces in Yemen, in which Saudi Arabia has led a war against the Iran-backed group, have previously fired missiles towards Saudi Arabia. 
 
Saudi-owned Arabiya TV reported earlier today that a missile had been intercepted in the city of Khamees Mushait in the Kingdom&#39;s southwest. It did not identify from where the missile had been fired. 
 
(Reuters)

The missile was launched from Yemeni territory heading towards the city of Abha and was intercepted by the air force, SPA news said

The Royal Saudi Air Force (RSAF) intercepted a ballistic missile fired from Yemen, Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported today. The missile was launched from Yemeni territory heading towards the city of Abha, the capital of southwestern Asir province, and was intercepted at 6:10 am (0310 GMT), SPA reported. Houthi forces in Yemen, in which Saudi Arabia has led a war against the Iran-backed group, have previously fired missiles towards Saudi Arabia. Saudi-owned Arabiya TV reported earlier today that a missile had been intercepted in the city of Khamees Mushait in the Kingdom's southwest. It did not identify from where the missile had been fired. (Reuters)

Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen

houthi-forces

Houthi Forces, News on Houthi Forces, stories on Houthi Forces, articles on Houthi Forces, Houthi Forces stories at Wion, Houthi Forces news, Houthi Forces latest news

houthi forces

‘If they return, we will return’: Iraq, Yemen forces to halt attacks on Israel after Gaza ceasefire

Fighting between Yemeni loyalists, Houthi rebels kills 90 in two days

UN?calls?for?humanitarian?truce?in?Yemen's?Taiz province

Saudi Arabia intercepts ballistic missile from Yemen