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Saudi-led coalition bombs Sanaa 24 hours ahead of five-day truce with Yemen's Houthi rebels - video

The ceasefire will allow the UN to deliver much needed aid to the beleaguered nation

Jack Simpson
Tuesday 12 May 2015 12:50 BST
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'The mother of all explosions in Yemen'
'The mother of all explosions in Yemen' (Getty Images)

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Just 24 hours ahead of a planned five-day truce in Yemen, the country’s capital Sanaa has been hit with one of the worst days of bombing since a Saudi-led coalition began their air campaign against Houthi rebels in late March.

In videos taken by residents in Sanaa massive explosions can be seen across the capital before a planned ceasefire to allow the UN to deliver essential aid into the beleaguered country begins today at 8pm GMT on Tuesday.

The city of Saada in the north of the country was also badly hit, with airstrikes targeting the Houthi stronghold.

The Houthi rebels accepted the Saudi proposal on Sunday after negotiations "following the mediation from friendly countries".

Both sides have warned that they will resume fighting if the ceasefire is not observed.

The UN says over half of the 1,400 killed so far have been civillians.

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