By Aziz El Yaakoubi

RIYADH, (Reuters) –The United Nations and United States envoys welcomed Wednesday’s unilateral ceasefire moves by Yemeni warring parties as positive steps. However they stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive ceasefire to alleviate a humanitarian crisis.

After Iran’s three-day cease-fire, the Saudi-aligned coalition that is fighting Yemeni Houthis declared it would suspend military operations temporarily starting Wednesday.

The unilateral initiative was part of an effort to end the war lasting seven years that has left tens and thousands dead, as well as pushed millions of people into hunger. It followed a U.N. request for a truce in the Muslim holy month Ramadan which begins this week.

U.N. special representative Hans Grundberg, and Tim Lenderking were present at the beginning of week-long Yemeni talks in Riyadh. The Houthis reacted against the fact that they weren’t being held in “neutral” countries.

Lenderking, who has, like Grundberg, been pressing Riyadh over the past year for easing coalition sea- and air restrictions in Houthi-held regions, called the truce moves encouraging.

Grundberg described them as a “step forward in the right direction.”

“Yemen requires a truce. With a strong sense of urgency, I’m engaging the parties to achieve this truce before Ramadan begins. Grundberg stated that the truce will reduce the fuel shortage and allow freedom for movement.

According to two sources, the U.N. proposed a temporary truce to allow fuel ships to dock at Houthi held Hodeidah port. A small number of commercial flights could also be operated from Sanaa airport.

Both sides have resisted compromise and a permanent ceasefire proved difficult to achieve. Both the Houthis and the alliance that controls Yemen’s maritimes, airspace, and waterways want the blockade lifted by the coalition before they can begin any negotiations.

Antonio Guterres’ spokesperson on Wednesday called for the parties to meet “without condition” with Grundberg.

Riyadh’s inability to leave the conflict is being seen by many as a proxy warfare between Saudi Arabian Iran.

In late 2014 the Houthis overthrew Yemen’s Saudi-backed government in Sanaa. They claim they are fighting corruption and foreign aggression.