GENEVA

The warring sides at UN-sponsored Yemen talks have agreed a full resumption of humanitarian aid to the city of Taizz.

It was expected that aid will also reach Hajja, Saada and other deprived Yemeni cities in the coming days, the UN noted.

The UN released a statement on the third day of talks in Switzerland, saying one of its convoys had reached Taizz.

Negotiations began on Tuesday and were marked by a seven-day cease-fire agreement and a prisoner exchange. However, there have been claims of continued fighting by both sides.

The talks aim to establish a permanent cease-fire, ending nine months of fighting that has seen at least 5,870 people killed since a Saudi-led coalition began a military campaign to restore the government of President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and drive back Shia Houthi militias.

According to the UN, more than 2.3 million people have been forced to flee their homes and 21.2 million in Yemen are in need of humanitarian aid.

Ismail Ahmad, the UN’s envoy on Yemen, previously said the talks would focus on a permanent cease-fire and the withdrawal of armed groups.

Previous peace talks in Geneva held in June ended without agreement.