Yemen Conflict: Clashes Rattle Shaky Truce

A UN ceasefire is holding in Yemen as parties plan peace talks to end the 13-month civil war that has displaced more than 2 million. Yemen has a population of 27 million. “More than 6,000 people have been killed since a Saudi-led coalition began a military campaign to defeat the rebels and restore the exiled government,” reports the BBC News. “”The UN says most of those killed have been civilians, blaming coalition air strikes for the vast majority of deaths.” The ceasefire will allow aid, supplies and medical care to be distributed throughout the country. Outside forces have intervened in the civil war: Iran backs the Houthi rebels, who support a previous president, control the capital, Sanaa, and much of the west while Saudi Arabia backs the current president and cabinet who were forced to flee to Aden in the south. The country is about 65 percent Sunni and 35 percent Shia. – YaleGlobal