Rival sides in Yemen's year long war have pledged to honour a UN-brokered ceasefire that took effect at midnight Sunday. Government military supported by a Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Huthis rebels have both committed to the truce, despite deadly clashes around capital Sanaa before the deadline.

Peace talks to end the conflicts are due to be held later on April 18 in Kuwait. Major mediator the United Nations hopes the truce will lead to a more concrete, formal ceasefire with confidence-building measures.