Yemen: Signs of optimism surface as peace talks commence

The war in Yemen has killed more than 6,000 people, half of them civilians, and spread disease and hunger across the impoverished nation. (AFP/File)

The warring sides of Yemen's conflict have displayed conciliatory signs ahead of UN-backed talks starting on Monday, showing of mutual willingness to end the conflict which has lasted a year and has produced one of the world's worst humanitarian crises.

It is hoped that a deal will defuse tension between regional powers Saudi Arabia and Iran, who have been backing opposing sides in Yemen's war which has exacerbated political and military struggles across the region.

Air strikes and heavy combat persist in many parts of the country, while armed forces remain active on the ground which could still affect Yemen's tangled political scene.