A five-day humanitarian ceasefire in Yemen has begun, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri, spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition told Al Arabiya News' sister channel Al Hadath on Wednesday, but he warned that the Houthi bombardment of the border area gave "no confidence" Houthis would keep the truce. The ceasefire came into effect at 11 p.m. on Tuesday, with Houthi militias carrying out bombardments of the border area of Jizan province up to the last minute. The coalition has been striking Houthi rebels operating in Yemen since March 26. Asiri said the Saudi forces were "ready to respond to any aggression or attack" and he added that the coalition "would respond" if Houthi militias continued to maneuver. The bombardment of the border area by Houthi militias had continued until the ceasefire came into force, casting doubt over whether it would hold, Asiri added. And he warned that any Iranian vessels – even those said to be carrying aid - sailing to Yemen would need permission from the Yemeni authorities or coalition before making the journey. A maritime exclusion zone, enforced by the Arab-dominated coalition, remains in effect around Yemen. Assiri said an Iranian ship purportedly carrying aid to Yemen should deliver it to the Horn of Africa nation of Djibouti. Asiri said: "They can give it to the United Nations there." The Pentagon earlier said it was tracking the ship after Tehran reportedly said it would send warships to escort it to Yemen. Pentagon spokesman Colonel Steven Warren warned Iran against a "stunt" that could threaten the ceasefire.
