A report, emanating from Cairo suggested that Imam Yahya was dead, killed in an insurrection in Sana'a. The report was false, and probably arose from an incorrectly interpreted Morse code message transmitted by the Italians.
The premature announcement of his death, combined with Prince Faisal's occupation of Al-Hudaidah, persuaded the Imam to sue for peace.
Ibn Saud responded at once, ordering a cessation of hostilities and inviting Yahya to discuss the definition of a new frontier between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Yemen.