The Saudi-led military coalition has declared a 48-hour ceasefire in Yemen after the beleaguered government agreed to a US peace plan.

Saudi news agency SPA issued a statement from the coalition on Saturday, which warned Houthi rebels to allow humanitarian aid into loyalist cities.

The Yemen government had previously rejected a plan proposed by US Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this week, believing it would undermine its authority.

But it has faced mounting pressure amid an international outcry over the civilian death toll from 20 months of conflict.

Image: A house destroyed during battles between rebels and pro-government fighters in Taiz

The statement said: "It has been decided to begin a 48-hour ceasefire from noon Yemen time (9am in the UK) on Saturday."


It added that the truce could be extended if the rebels honour the agreement.

Six previous attempts to agree a ceasefire have failed.

The government of exiled President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi has been reluctant to accept UN proposals to form a unity administration with the rebels over fears it would undermine his legitimacy.

October: Malnutrition in Yemen

But the president asked Saudi King Salman for the pause "in response to UN and international efforts to bring peace to Yemen".

More than 7,000 people have been killed in Yemen and nearly 37,000 wounded since the coalition intervention began, according to the UN.

Millions of civilians are in desperate need of aid, and many have fled their homes.

The coalition has enforced an air and sea blockade on rebel-held areas. Despite the coalition firepower, the Yemen capital Sanaa, the Red Sea coast and most of the northern and central highlands remains in the hands of the rebels.