Spotlight: UN envoys say hope to see early end to Yemeni conflict

Two UN envoys on Sunday voiced their hope that the ongoing cessation of hostilities in Yemen and upcoming peace talks set in Kuwait will lead to an end of an armed conflict in the impoverished Arab country.

"The children of Yemen are bearing the brunt of a brutal conflict. The cessation of hostilities that has come into effect today is an opportunity for parties to take action to improve their protection," Leila Zerrougui, special representative of the UN secretary-general for children and armed conflict, and Peter Salama, the UN Children's Fund regional director for the Middle East and North Africa, said in a joint statement.

"We hope the cessation of hostilities and the peace talks which are scheduled to begin on April 18, will finally bring an end to this conflict," the statement said.

"We call on all parties to the conflict to comply with their obligations under international humanitarian law, to commit to releasing children who have been recruited and used in the fighting, and to end all grave violations against boys and girls."

The two UN officials also urged warring parties in Yemen to "take every possible measure to protect schools and hospitals, and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance to children and all those in need."

Meanwhile, Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed, special envoy of the UN secretary-general for Yemen, also welcomed the start of the cease-fire.

"Now is the time to step back from the brink. The progress made represents a real opportunity to rebuild a country that has suffered far too much violence for far too long," he said.

The ongoing cease-fire between the Saudi-backed Yemeni government forces and the Houthi rebels began at midnight Sunday. Except sporadic clashes, so far it is largely been well observed.

The UN-brokered truth is the fourth of its kind since the Saudi-led coalition began air strikes in March 2015 to support the legitimate government of Yemen's internationally recognized President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi. The latest armistice covers seven provinces and is expected to last until the end of Kuwait peace talks.

The United Nations verified a significant increase in grave violations against children in 2015 by all parties to the conflict in Yemen, the two UN envoys noted in the statement.

According to a recent update, 900 children were killed in the year, representing a seven fold increase from 2014. Child recruitment increased five times during the same period, with 848 cases verified.

Meanwhile, attacks on schools and hospitals have doubled, bringing the total number to over 115, the statement said. "The disruption in the delivery of basic services has deprived thousands of children of their fundamental rights to education and health."

"The incidents that the United Nations was able to verify represent the tip of the iceberg, but they do reveal some very concerning trends," said the statement.

"First, it is estimated that children represent around one-third of all civilians killed and close to a quarter of those injured. Second, attacks on civilian infrastructure, especially schools and health clinics, have become commonplace. Third, children are now playing a more active role in combat and manning checkpoints including on the front lines."

"Taken together these data represent a disturbing pattern of flagrant disregard for international humanitarian law and the rights of children in Yemen," the statement said. "These patterns have far-reaching implications for the stability of Yemen and the future of its children."

More than 6,000 people, half of them civilians, have been killed in ground battles and airstrikes in Yemen since armed Houthi rebels seized the capital city of Sanna in September 2014, driving President Hadi into exile.

Previous cease-fires and negotiations between the warring parties in the country only temporarily curbed violence but failed to produce any progress toward peace.

However, some analysts say they see a more conducive atmosphere for the Kuwait talks next week. Endi