Assiri added that the military operations by the Saudi-led coalition to support the Yemeni army and to protect the civilians would resume.

“The statement said that in the event that the Houthis commit to the truce, then it will automatically be extended for another 48 hours, however the other party did not comply. We have counted more than 500 violations within 48 hours… So it is natural that the truce comes to an end since the conditions of it were not met,” Assiri said.

Yemen has been engulfed in a violent conflict between the government headed by President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and the Houthis, who are backed by army units loyal to former Yemeni leader Ali Abdullah Saleh.

Since March 2015, the Saudi-led coalition of mostly Persian Gulf countries has been carrying out airstrikes against the rebels.