Timeline: Yemen's brutal war and moves to end it

Diplomatic moves to end the conflict in Yemen are underway after Saudi Arabia and Iran, which support opposite sides in the conflict, agreed to resume diplomatic relations.

The eight-year war in the Arabian Peninsula country has caused hundreds of thousands of deaths, both directly and indirectly, and pushed the nation, already one of the world's poorest, to the brink of famine.

Here is a timeline of the conflict and moves to end it.

- 2014: rebels take capital -
The Huthi rebels advance from their stronghold in Yemen's northern mountains to seize the capital Sanaa in September.

They ally themselves with forces loyal to ex-president Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was toppled in a 2011 uprising, before overrunning the Red Sea port of Hodeida.

- 2015: Hadi flees, Saudi enters -
In February, President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi flees to the second city Aden on Yemen's south coast.

A coalition led by Iran's bitter enemy Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates enters the conflict in March with air strikes targeting the rebels.

Washington says it is contributing logistics and intelligence.

As the Iran-backed rebels advance on Aden, Hadi flees to Saudi Arabia.

The coalition's intervention helps pro-government forces secure the city.

In October, coalition forces take control of the Bab al-Mandab Strait at the southern entrance to the Red Sea, one of the world's busiest and most strategic waterways.

- 2018: battle for key port -
In June, government fighters backed by coalition ground forces launch an offensive to retake Hodeida, a major entry point for humanitarian aid.

In December, following negotiations in Sweden, the UN announces a ceasefire in Hodeida.

- Separatists flex muscles -
The anti-Huthi camp is divided between southern separatists and northern unionists loyal to Hadi's government.

The separatists occupy the presidential palace in Aden in January 2018, before Saudi and Emirati forces intervene.

In August 2019, the Emirati-backed separatists again clash with the unionist troops.

Riyadh negotiates a power-sharing agreement and the formation of a new government.

- 2019: Saudi oil hit -
The Huthis escalate their attacks on Saudi Arabia, using drones and missiles.

A major hit on September 14 on the Abqaiq oil processing plant and Khurais oilfield halves the kingdom's crude output.

Riyadh and Washington accuse Iran of being behind the attack, which it denies.

- 2021: Marib offensive -
In February, the US ends its support for the coalition's military operations and removes the Huthis from a "terrorist" list.

Shortly afterwards, the rebels resume an offensive to seize Yemen's oil-rich Marib province, the government's last northern stronghold.

- 2022: six-month truce -
In January the Huthis attack an oil facility in Abu Dhabi, killing three workers.

In March the rebels again attack Saudi oil facilities, causing a huge fire at a Jeddah refinery.

A UN-brokered ceasefire starts on the first day of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan on April 2.

Renewed twice, the truce expires in October without the government and rebels reaching an agreement to pursue it.

- 2023: Saudi-Iran detente -
In a surprise Chinese-brokered announcement, Iran and Saudi Arabia agree on March 10 to restore ties seven years after they were severed.

Days later UN officials say the rapprochement should offer momentum towards peace in Yemen.

On March 19, Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi welcomes an invitation from Saudi Arabia's King Salman to visit Riyadh.

- Prisoner swap deal -
On March 20 the Huthis and the government reach a prisoner swap deal during negotiations in Switzerland.

The agreement would see the rebels release 181 detainees in exchange for 706 prisoners.

- Ministers, mediators, negotiators -
The Iranian and Saudi foreign ministers meet in Beijing on April 6, pledging to bring "security and stability" to their region.

Two days later, on April 8, Omani mediators arrive in Sanaa to help broker a truce between the Huthis and Saudi Arabia.

A day later, a Saudi delegation arrives in the capital to negotiate a potential new truce.