THE United Nations said yesterday that the Yemen peace talks have ended amid a severe new outbreak of fighting in the country.

 

Negotiations between pro-government fighters and Shi’ite rebels began last Tuesday in the Swiss village of Macolin.

 

But fierce fighting and air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition rocked northern Yemen on Saturday, in violation of the ceasefire.

 

Clashes in Hajjah province, near the Saudi border, between rebel-allied units and pro-government forces have killed more than 75 people over the past three days, according to Yemeni security officials.

 

The fighting pits the internationally recognised government backed by a Saudi-led, US-supported coalition against Houthi fighters allied with a former president and backed by Iran.

 

Local affiliates of al-Qaida and the Islamic State (Isis) group have seized the chance to grab land and exercise their influence.

 

The UN estimates that the war in Yemen has killed at least 5,884 people since March.