Saudi Arabia gave a "positive" response Friday (October 4th) to a truce offer from Yemen's Houthis (Ansarallah) and called for its implementation, AFP reported.
Since 2015, Riyadh has led a military coalition in support of Yemen's internationally recognised government against the Iran-backed Houthis.
"The truce announced in Yemen is perceived positively by the kingdom, as this is what it has always sought, and hopes it will be implemented effectively," vice defence minister Prince Khalid bin Salman said in a social media post.
On September 21st, the Houthis announced they were ready to make peace with Riyadh, later repeating their offer. Saudi Arabia has said it would judge the Houthis on their "actions and not by their words".
On Monday, the Houthis freed 290 prisoners under an exchange that was part of a de-escalation accord struck in Sweden in December 2018.
Prince Khalid also accused Iran of exploiting the situation in Yemen and "evading responsibility for their terrorist acts".
The Houthis claimed responsibility for attacks on September 14th against two key Saudi oil installations. But Riyadh and Washington blame Iran for the attacks, a charge denied by Tehran.
