Associated Press

SANAA — Yemen’s state news agency SABA is quoting a rebel armed forces spokesman as saying the insurgents accept a five-day humanitarian cease-fire offered by a Saudi-led coalition to allow organizations to deliver aid to citizens.

The SABA news agency, which is under the control of the rebels known as Houthis, said Sunday that Col. Sharaf Ghalib Luqman warned that the armed forces will retaliate in self-defense if anyone violates the truce, which is to begin Tuesday.

The Houthis issued their own statement early Sunday saying they will cooperate with the cease-fire to help people suffering from the severe fuel and food shortage now gripping the Arab world’s poorest country.

Saudi Brig. Gen. Ahmed Ali Asiri, the coalition’s spokesman, warned Saturday that the cease-fire will be canceled if the rebels violated it.