SANAA: The internationally recognised government of Yemen and the Houthi militia have begun their second round of discussions over the reopening of blocked highways in Taiz city, according to an official.
"Delegations representing the Yemeni government and the Houthi organisation launched a new round of face-to-face negotiations under the auspices of the United Nations in Amman, Jordan," the diplomat said late Sunday.
The warring parties were actively involved in negotiations about easing the years-long blockade imposed by the Houthis on the important city, he noted, under the supervision of UN Special Envoy for Yemen Hans Grundberg. The UN, the Yemeni government, and the Houthis have all yet to issue official statements. The first round of talks on Taiz in Amman ended on May 29 without a deal being reached.
On April 2, Yemen's warring parties agreed to a two-month truce brokered by the United Nations, which includes allowing commercial flights to and from the Houthi-held capital Sanaa, allowing fuel ships to enter the Houthi-held port of Hodeidah, and lifting the siege on the government-held city of Taiz.
The warring sides have mostly maintained the cease-fire, but have yet to achieve a definitive deal on removing Taiz's siege. On May 31, the warring sides agreed to extend the cease-fire for another two months, giving them more time to work out their differences.
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