Yemen ceasefire ends without extension as UN envoy urges calm

A six-month truce in Yemen's war between Iran-backed Houthi rebels and a Saudi-led coalition expired on Sunday without being extended, the United Nations' special envoy said, urging calm and adding that negotiations were continuing.

Hans Grundberg said efforts to extend and expand the ceasefire for a further six months had not been successful ahead of Sunday's deadline.

"The UN special envoy regrets that an agreement has not been reached today, as an extended and expanded truce would provide additional critical benefits to the population," a statement said.

"I urge [the warring parties] to fulfil their obligation to the Yemeni people to pursue every avenue for peace," the Swedish diplomat was quoted as saying.