SANAA: Yemen’s Huthi rebels announced a two-week pause in Red Sea operations Wednesday, after attacks against Saudi tankers last week prompted Riyadh to suspend oil shipments through a key waterway.

“The unilateral suspension of our naval operations is for a limited period,” the rebels said in a statement released by their defence ministry.

The Huthis’ Twitter and Facebook accounts said the suspension will last two weeks. But “it can be renewed and expanded to other fronts if this initiative is well-received and reciprocated”, the statement said.

The Huthis are fighting a Saudi-led military coalition that backs Yemen’s government.

A spokesman for the coalition did not immediately respond to a written request for comment on the Huthis’ unilateral truce.—AFP