Yemen crisis: Saudi Arabia-led coalition declares end to bombing campaign against Houthi Rebels

However, an army spokesman did not rule out restarting air strikes

Saudi army artillery fire shells towards Yemen from a post close to the Saudi-Yemeni border

A coalition led by Saudi Arabia has ended a bombing campaign to target Houthi rebels, which has lasted almost a month.

The end of the so-called operation “Decisive Storm” will now make way for a new phase aimed at preventing the rebels from functioning effectively, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition targeting Iran-allied rebels has said.

The announcement comes after two air strikes in Yemen killed at least 40 people, most of whom were civilians, medical sources on the scene told Reuters.

Speaking at a news conference in Riyadh on Wednesday, Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri said the objectives of the campaign have been met and it would cease at midnight.

An earlier statement read on Saudi-owned Arabiya TV announced that the first phase of the military campaign was a success.

Asiri mirrored the statement and said the rebels no longer pose a danger to civilians and that the new phase, called “Renewal of Hope” would focus on rebuilding the country while interdicting the rebels.

The new mission will focus on security at home, counter-terrorism, aid and a political solution in Yemen.

However, Asiri did not rule out future air strikes against the Houthi rebels, indicating that military action by the alliance of Sunni Muslim state may yet continue.

Last month, Saudi Arabia and its allies launched the intensive campaign of air strikes against the Houthi, after fighting between the rebels and the Saudi Arabia-backed forces of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi intensified.

Additional reporting by Reuters