Fighting eases in Yemen but no official cease-fire in place

Yemeni officials say fighting has eased in the war-ravaged country, especially in the key port city of Hodeida after an informal agreement to reduce hostilities there.

The deal was declared Monday, although smaller clashes have continued elsewhere.

Soldiers and eyewitnesses say fighting on the ground between Arab coalition forces and the Iran-backed Houthi rebels largely halted in Hodeida Thursday, but continued in Bayda, Saada and Hajja provinces.

A U.N. official says there’s no official, hoped-for cease-fire but that there’s been “a significant reduction in hostilities.” The government announced a “pause” in the fighting for the day.

A coalition airstrike killed at least seven civilians in Hodeida Wednesday.

All the officials spoke anonymously as they weren’t authorized to talk to reporters, while witnesses did so for fear of their safety.