Yemen's warring parties have agreed to a two-month cease-fire, according to the United Nations.

 According to the UN, warring parties in Yemen have agreed to a two-month cease-fire.

It's the first statewide cease-fire in a war that, according to UN estimates, has killed almost 400,000 people.

Hunger, a lack of healthcare, and contaminated water killed almost 60% of those who died.

The deal between the Saudi-led coalition and Iran-backed Houthi rebels went into effect at 16:00 GMT on Saturday, and it can be extended if both parties agree.

For many Muslims, Saturday marks the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

The UN-brokered cease-fire was lauded by US President Joe Biden as a long-awaited "reprieve for the Yemeni people."

However, he added: "These are critical measures, but they are insufficient. The truce must be respected, and, as I previously stated, it is critical that we end this conflict."

Why is there a war in Yemen?

The UN special envoy Hans Grundberg announced the cease-fire on Friday, the second day of peace talks in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

"All offensive military air, ground, and sea activities inside Yemen and across its borders have been accepted by the parties," his statement added.

Commercial flights will be free to fly into the rebel-held port of al-Hudaydah on the Red Sea, and fuel ships will be allowed to enter.

Commercial planes will be able to fly from the airport in the rebel-held capital Sanaa, and fuel ships will be allowed to enter the rebel-held port of al-Hudaydah on the Red Sea. The UN envoy also stated that roads into the beleaguered city of Taiz in the southwest would be unblocked.

Antonio Guterres, the UN Secretary-General, urged all parties to execute the agreement as soon as feasible.

For the past seven years, the Saudi-led coalition backing Yemen's formal government has been fighting the Houthis mostly through air attacks.

In exchange, the Houthis have attacked Saudi Arabia and its partner, the United Arab Emirates, using drones and missile's.