Hopes for Yemen peace deal fade as ‘obscene’ Marib death toll rises

UN fears ceasefire talks have stalled after rebel leaders came close to accepting deal before rejecting it

The UN fears that hopes for a ceasefire in Yemen are effectively stalled until either the Houthi rebels choose to end their military offensive or decide the mounting death toll running into tens of thousands is unacceptable. The Houthis are currently driving towards the capture of the strategic and oil-rich governorate of Marib.

Extensive talks in April and May, including direct discussions between the Houthi leadership and Saudis in Oman, ended with the Houthis - also known as Ansar Allah - coming close to accepting a ceasefire deal before ultimately rejecting the offer.