World

Yemen civil war: Rebels halt Swiss peace talks after ceasefire violations

Members of Yemen's two warring sides say that peace talks in Switzerland have been indefinitely halted.

Shia Houthi rebel delegation suspends meetings, demands UN condemnation of ceasefire violations

Tribal fighters on a street during fighting with Shiite rebels known as Houthis, in the outskirts of Taiz, Yemen earlier this week. (Abdulnasser Alseddik/The Associated Press)

Members of Yemen's two warring sides say that peace talks in Switzerland have been indefinitely halted.

The negotiation breakdown comes after the country's Shia Houthi rebel delegation suspended all meetings with the internationally recognized government in protest at their ceasefire violations.

The officials said on Friday that the Houthis said they would not resume talks unless the UN condemned government breaches of the week-long truce. Houthi fighters have also ignored the ceasefire agreement.

Yemen's fighting pits the Houthis and army units loyal to a former president against the government, which is backed by the Saudi-led coalition and supported by the U.S.

On the ground, security officials neutral in the conflict say fighters from both sides are refusing to respect the ceasefire.

All officials spoke anonymously in line with regulations.