Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates.

Huthi fighters have intensified operations against the kingdom as air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition pound rebel positions in the north of Yemen, in a bid to stop their offensive to seize the government's last northern stronghold of Marib.

Years of war have already pushed Yemen to the brink of famine.

Saudi Arabia -- which has been backing the Yemeni government against the rebels since 2015 -- said Saturday it thwarted a Huthi missile that targeted Riyadh.

"The operation was carried out with a ballistic missile and 15 drones... targeting sensitive areas in the enemy's capital of Riyadh," said Huthi spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel.

"Our operations will continue and will expand as long as the aggression and seige on our country continues."

Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Saudi's state-run Al-Ekhbariya television said.

AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions, with state television footage showing the night sky light up with a bright flash.

Separately, the coalition said it had intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan.&nbsp;

Saree on Sunday claimed those attacks as well, warning residents in the region to "stay clear from all military airports and sites."

- 'Catastrophe' -

The Huthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the kingdom even after the United States delisted the rebels as terrorists, reversing a decision by the administration of former president Donald Trump.

The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen.&nbsp;

US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end".

But he has also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory.&nbsp;

On Sunday, in the latest violence in Yemen, five civilians including a child were killed when their home was destroyed in a bombardment near the strategic rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida.

The warring sides traded blame over who was responsible, with the government accusing Huthis of firing a mortar bomb, and the rebels saying the explosion was caused by twin air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition.

Alongside the cross-border attacks, the Huthis are pressing ahead with a offensive to seize the government-held Marib region, where some of the country's richest oil fields are found.

Hundreds of fighters from both sides have been killed in recent ferocious fighting, government source say.

The Huthis now control most of the country's north and the government has been struggling to defend Marib province and the city, which lies some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa.&nbsp;

Yemen's conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to international organisations, sparking what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The UN on Monday hopes to raise $3.85 billion to support millions of civilians and prevent famine in the country.&nbsp;

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates.

Yemen's Iran-backed Huthi rebels on Sunday claimed the attempted strikes that targeted neighbouring Saudi Arabia overnight and threatened more attacks, as fighting in the grinding civil war escalates. Huthi fighters have intensified operations against the kingdom as air strikes by the Saudi-led military coalition pound rebel positions in the north of Yemen, in a bid to stop their offensive to seize the government's last northern stronghold of Marib. Years of war have already pushed Yemen to the brink of famine. Saudi Arabia -- which has been backing the Yemeni government against the rebels since 2015 -- said Saturday it thwarted a Huthi missile that targeted Riyadh. "The operation was carried out with a ballistic missile and 15 drones... targeting sensitive areas in the enemy's capital of Riyadh," said Huthi spokesman Yahya al-Saree, according to the rebels' Al-Masirah TV channel. "Our operations will continue and will expand as long as the aggression and seige on our country continues." Fragments of the missile scattered over several Riyadh neighbourhoods, damaging at least one home but no casualties were reported, Saudi's state-run Al-Ekhbariya television said. AFP correspondents in the Saudi capital reported hearing multiple loud explosions, with state television footage showing the night sky light up with a bright flash. Separately, the coalition said it had intercepted six Huthi drones targeting the kingdom, including the southern cities of Khamis Mushait and Jizan. Saree on Sunday claimed those attacks as well, warning residents in the region to "stay clear from all military airports and sites." - 'Catastrophe' - The Huthis have escalated cross-border attacks on the kingdom even after the United States delisted the rebels as terrorists, reversing a decision by the administration of former president Donald Trump. The designation had been widely criticised by aid organisations, who warned it would hamper their efforts to alleviate a humanitarian crisis in Yemen. US President Joe Biden halted support to Saudi offensive operations in Yemen's war, which he called a "catastrophe" that "has to end". But he has also reiterated US support for Saudi Arabia in defending its territory. On Sunday, in the latest violence in Yemen, five civilians including a child were killed when their home was destroyed in a bombardment near the strategic rebel-held Red Sea port of Hodeida. The warring sides traded blame over who was responsible, with the government accusing Huthis of firing a mortar bomb, and the rebels saying the explosion was caused by twin air strikes by the Saudi-led coalition. Alongside the cross-border attacks, the Huthis are pressing ahead with a offensive to seize the government-held Marib region, where some of the country's richest oil fields are found. Hundreds of fighters from both sides have been killed in recent ferocious fighting, government source say. The Huthis now control most of the country's north and the government has been struggling to defend Marib province and the city, which lies some 120 kilometres (75 miles) east of the rebel-held capital Sanaa. Yemen's conflict has claimed tens of thousands of lives and displaced millions, according to international organisations, sparking what the UN calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The UN on Monday hopes to raise $3.85 billion to support millions of civilians and prevent famine in the country.

Yemen rebels claim Saudi strikes, threaten new attacks

Blasts rocked Yemen's Aden airport on Wednesday as a plane arrived carrying members of the new unity government.

Reports said there were at least two blasts with five people killed in the explosion. Several people were reportedly injured in the blasts as mortar shells landed on the airport's hall.

There was gunfire and loud blasts as the plane arrived at Aden airport.

Yemen had witnessed the formation of&nbsp;a new government with the separatists under the power-sharing cabinet on December 18.

The new government was earlier sworn in Saudi Arabia. The 24-member cabinet was sworn in by Yemen President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The new government-backed by Saudi Arabia is fighting against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls the north.

Yemen has been in a protracted civil war for the last five years leading to deaths of thousands of people which has triggered a huge humanitarian crisis with several people being displaced.

Blasts rocked Yemen's Aden airport on Wednesday as a plane arrived carrying members of the new unity government. Reports said there were at least two blasts with five people killed in the explosion.

Blasts rocked Yemen's Aden airport on Wednesday as a plane arrived carrying members of the new unity government. Reports said there were at least two blasts with five people killed in the explosion. Several people were reportedly injured in the blasts as mortar shells landed on the airport's hall. There was gunfire and loud blasts as the plane arrived at Aden airport. Yemen had witnessed the formation of a new government with the separatists under the power-sharing cabinet on December 18. The new government was earlier sworn in Saudi Arabia. The 24-member cabinet was sworn in by Yemen President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The new government-backed by Saudi Arabia is fighting against the Iran-aligned Houthi movement that controls the north. Yemen has been in a protracted civil war for the last five years leading to deaths of thousands of people which has triggered a huge humanitarian crisis with several people being displaced.

Blasts at Aden airport in Yemen as unity government arrives; 5 dead

Yemen's Huthi rebels have seized control of a strategic town north of the capital, government officials said Sunday, in what analysts say could change the course of the five-year-old war.

The Iran-aligned militia captured Al-Hazm, capital of the northern province of Al-Jawf, enabling the rebels to pose a threat to neighbouring oil-rich Marib province, a government military official told AFP.

Al-Jawf has been mostly controlled by the Huthis, but its capital -- only 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia -- had been in the hands of the government.

Yemen's internationally-recognised government, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, has been battling the Huthi rebels since 2014 after they captured the capital Sanaa and swathes of the impoverished Arab nation.

"The Huthi rebels have taken control of Al-Hazm, the regional capital of Al-Jawf, after fierce fighting with government troops who were forced to withdraw to neighbouring Marib province," the official said.&nbsp;

According to other military sources, at least 30 government troops -- including high-ranking officers -- were killed in the battle over the past two days.

The Huthis also suffered dozens of casualties, the sources added.

Maged al-Madhaji, executive director of the Sanaa Centre, a Yemeni think-tank, said the Huthis' capture of Al-Hazm could be a game-changer.

"Control of the capital of Al-Jawf could totally change the course of the war. Huthis have made an exceptional advance and are changing the balance" in their favour, Madhaji told AFP.

He said the advance would enable the rebels to surround Marib, the most significant territory in the hands of the government.

It also secures supply lines between Sanaa and the Huthi northern stronghold of Saada, Madhaji said.&nbsp;

Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015, tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced, in what the UN has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis.&nbsp;

Yemen's Huthi rebels have seized control of a strategic town north of the capital, government officials said Sunday, in what analysts say could change the course of the five-year-old war.

Yemen's Huthi rebels have seized control of a strategic town north of the capital, government officials said Sunday, in what analysts say could change the course of the five-year-old war. The Iran-aligned militia captured Al-Hazm, capital of the northern province of Al-Jawf, enabling the rebels to pose a threat to neighbouring oil-rich Marib province, a government military official told AFP. Al-Jawf has been mostly controlled by the Huthis, but its capital -- only 150 kilometres (90 miles) south of the border with Saudi Arabia -- had been in the hands of the government. Yemen's internationally-recognised government, backed by a Saudi-led military coalition, has been battling the Huthi rebels since 2014 after they captured the capital Sanaa and swathes of the impoverished Arab nation. "The Huthi rebels have taken control of Al-Hazm, the regional capital of Al-Jawf, after fierce fighting with government troops who were forced to withdraw to neighbouring Marib province," the official said. According to other military sources, at least 30 government troops -- including high-ranking officers -- were killed in the battle over the past two days. The Huthis also suffered dozens of casualties, the sources added. Maged al-Madhaji, executive director of the Sanaa Centre, a Yemeni think-tank, said the Huthis' capture of Al-Hazm could be a game-changer. "Control of the capital of Al-Jawf could totally change the course of the war. Huthis have made an exceptional advance and are changing the balance" in their favour, Madhaji told AFP. He said the advance would enable the rebels to surround Marib, the most significant territory in the hands of the government. It also secures supply lines between Sanaa and the Huthi northern stronghold of Saada, Madhaji said. Since the Saudi-led coalition intervened in March 2015, tens of thousands of people, mostly civilians, have been killed and millions displaced, in what the UN has termed the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Yemen rebels seize capital of strategic province

A Saudi fighter jet crashed in conflict-torn Yemen, the Riyadh-led military coalition supporting the government announced Saturday, as the Iran-backed Huthi rebels said they downed the plane.

The Tornado aircraft came down on Friday in northern Al-Jawf province during an operation to assist Yemeni government forces, the coalition said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency.

It did not specify the fate of the crew or the cause of the crash.

The Huthis' Al-Masirah television said the jet was downed by the rebels using an "advanced surface-to-air missile".

The insurgents reported multiple coalition airstrikes on Saturday in the Huthi-controlled area where the plane went down as local residents gathered near the wreckage, according to Al-Masirah.

The bombing raids left "dozens" of people dead or wounded, Al-Masirah added, a claim that could not be immediately verified by local aid workers.

The coalition intervened against the Huthis in 2015, first with air and naval forces and later with ground forces as well.

The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, and sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

The coalition has been widely criticised for the high civilian death toll from its bombing campaign, which has prompted some Western governments to cut arms deliveries to the countries taking part.

Saudi Arabia and the UAE have purchased billions of dollars' worth of weapons from the United States, France and Britain.

On Wednesday, the coalition said it would put on trial military personnel suspected of being behind deadly airstrikes on Yemeni civilians.

The cases being investigated include a 2018 airstrike on a school bus in the northern region of Dahyan that killed at least 40 children, Saudi-based Arab News said.

A Saudi fighter jet crashed in conflict-torn Yemen, the Riyadh-led military coalition supporting the government announced Saturday, as the Iran-backed Huthi rebels said they downed the plane.

A Saudi fighter jet crashed in conflict-torn Yemen, the Riyadh-led military coalition supporting the government announced Saturday, as the Iran-backed Huthi rebels said they downed the plane. The Tornado aircraft came down on Friday in northern Al-Jawf province during an operation to assist Yemeni government forces, the coalition said in a statement carried by the official Saudi Press Agency. It did not specify the fate of the crew or the cause of the crash. The Huthis' Al-Masirah television said the jet was downed by the rebels using an "advanced surface-to-air missile". The insurgents reported multiple coalition airstrikes on Saturday in the Huthi-controlled area where the plane went down as local residents gathered near the wreckage, according to Al-Masirah. The bombing raids left "dozens" of people dead or wounded, Al-Masirah added, a claim that could not be immediately verified by local aid workers. The coalition intervened against the Huthis in 2015, first with air and naval forces and later with ground forces as well. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people, most of them civilians, and sparked what the United Nations calls the world's worst humanitarian crisis. The coalition has been widely criticised for the high civilian death toll from its bombing campaign, which has prompted some Western governments to cut arms deliveries to the countries taking part. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have purchased billions of dollars' worth of weapons from the United States, France and Britain. On Wednesday, the coalition said it would put on trial military personnel suspected of being behind deadly airstrikes on Yemeni civilians. The cases being investigated include a 2018 airstrike on a school bus in the northern region of Dahyan that killed at least 40 children, Saudi-based Arab News said.

Saudi warplane crashes in Yemen, rebels say they downed it

The United Nations said Sunday that a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-confirms-yemen-aid-port-withdrawal-underway-217879">Yemeni rebel </a>withdrawal from key <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/united-nations-confirms-yemen-aid-port-withdrawal-underway-217879">Red Sea ports</a> was proceeding as planned after the government accused the insurgents of faking the pullout.

The first day of the redeployment by Huthi insurgents from the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa on Saturday "went in accordance with established plans," a UN statement said.

"All three ports were monitored simultaneously by United Nations teams as the military forces left the ports and the Coast Guard took over responsibility for security," it added.

Military equipment is expected to be removed in the coming days, while demining is also planned, the statement said.

Formal verification of the first redeployment will take place at the three ports on Tuesday, according to the UN.

Hodeida port serves as a lifeline for millions in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, which has been pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of devastating war.

The pullback is considered a first step in implementing a hard-won truce agreement for Hodeida struck in Sweden in December between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels.

Yemen's information minister dismissed the rebels' announcement, accusing them of "a policy of deception."

"What the Huthi militia did is a repeated theatrical play of handing over control of the port to its own forces (in different uniforms)," Moammer al-Eryani tweeted.

The United Nations said Sunday that a Yemeni rebel withdrawal from key Red Sea ports was proceeding as planned after the government accused the insurgents of faking the pullout.

The United Nations said Sunday that a Yemeni rebel withdrawal from key Red Sea ports was proceeding as planned after the government accused the insurgents of faking the pullout. The first day of the redeployment by Huthi insurgents from the ports of Hodeida, Saleef and Ras Issa on Saturday "went in accordance with established plans," a UN statement said. "All three ports were monitored simultaneously by United Nations teams as the military forces left the ports and the Coast Guard took over responsibility for security," it added. Military equipment is expected to be removed in the coming days, while demining is also planned, the statement said. Formal verification of the first redeployment will take place at the three ports on Tuesday, according to the UN. Hodeida port serves as a lifeline for millions in the impoverished Arabian Peninsula country, which has been pushed to the brink of famine by more than four years of devastating war. The pullback is considered a first step in implementing a hard-won truce agreement for Hodeida struck in Sweden in December between Yemen's Saudi-backed government and the Iran-aligned Huthi rebels. Yemen's information minister dismissed the rebels' announcement, accusing them of "a policy of deception." "What the Huthi militia did is a repeated theatrical play of handing over control of the port to its own forces (in different uniforms)," Moammer al-Eryani tweeted.

United Nation says rebel pullout from Yemen ports on track

Yemeni rebels have begun to withdraw from the port of Hodeida, the country's key aid lifeline, under an agreement reached in Sweden earlier this month, a UN official said Saturday.&nbsp;

The official, who requested anonymity, said the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight (2100 GMT Friday).

The Huthis began "the first phase of redeployment from the Hodeida port", a rebel official told the Huthi-run Saba news agency.

The rebels held a ceremony to mark the occasion, an AFP correspondent reported. &nbsp;

The rebel withdrawal from the port, which is the point of entry for food aid to some 14 million Yemenis UN agencies say are on the brink of famine, is a key part of a ceasefire that went into effect on December 18.

Pro-government forces are also supposed to pull back from parts of the city they recaptured in an offensive they launched with the backing of a Saudi-led coalition on June 13.

The UN Security Council last week unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce.

Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading a joint truce monitoring committee, which includes both government and rebel representatives, and chaired its first meeting this week.

The UN-led panel addressed "the first phase of the implementation of the Stockholm agreement... based on ceasefire, confidence building measures to deliver humanitarian assistance and redeployment", a UN statement said.&nbsp;

It added that the panel would convene again on January 1 to discuss "detailed plans for full redeployment".&nbsp;

The truce has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations.

A resident reached by telephone on Saturday told AFP pro-government and rebel forces had exchanged fire briefly overnight.

The resident added that coalition jets were heard overhead on Saturday morning.

The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in March 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led coalition intervened.

Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

The official, who requested anonymity, said the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight (2100 GMT Friday).

Yemeni rebels have begun to withdraw from the port of Hodeida, the country's key aid lifeline, under an agreement reached in Sweden earlier this month, a UN official said Saturday. The official, who requested anonymity, said the Huthi rebels began to pull back from the Red Sea port at midnight (2100 GMT Friday). The Huthis began "the first phase of redeployment from the Hodeida port", a rebel official told the Huthi-run Saba news agency. The rebels held a ceremony to mark the occasion, an AFP correspondent reported. The rebel withdrawal from the port, which is the point of entry for food aid to some 14 million Yemenis UN agencies say are on the brink of famine, is a key part of a ceasefire that went into effect on December 18. Pro-government forces are also supposed to pull back from parts of the city they recaptured in an offensive they launched with the backing of a Saudi-led coalition on June 13. The UN Security Council last week unanimously approved a resolution authorising the deployment of observers to oversee the truce. Retired Dutch general Patrick Cammaert is heading a joint truce monitoring committee, which includes both government and rebel representatives, and chaired its first meeting this week. The UN-led panel addressed "the first phase of the implementation of the Stockholm agreement... based on ceasefire, confidence building measures to deliver humanitarian assistance and redeployment", a UN statement said. It added that the panel would convene again on January 1 to discuss "detailed plans for full redeployment". The truce has remained shaky, with the two sides accusing each other of violations. A resident reached by telephone on Saturday told AFP pro-government and rebel forces had exchanged fire briefly overnight. The resident added that coalition jets were heard overhead on Saturday morning. The war between the Shiite Huthi rebels and troops loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi escalated in March 2015, when he fled into Saudi exile and the Saudi-led coalition intervened. Since then, the war has killed some 10,000 people, according to the World Health Organization, although human rights groups say the real death toll could be five times as high.

Yemen rebels begin withdrawal from Hodeida port: UN

UN envoy Martin Griffiths met with Yemeni rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi Thursday to discuss logistics ahead of planned peace talks in Sweden in December, a rebel spokesman said.

The two men addressed "what can facilitate new discussions in December and procedures needed to transport injured and sick for treatment abroad and bring them back", Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam said on Twitter.

The rebel chief urged the UN to remain "balanced and neutral in its work to find a political solution", Abdelsalam added.

The conflict in Yemen, which escalated when the Saudi-led alliance intervened in 2015, has killed thousands and sparked what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since then, according to the World Health Organization, though some rights groups estimate the toll could be five times higher.

Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Yemen have been set for early December in Sweden, between Huthi rebels and the UN-recognized government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday.

Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days.

The United Nations has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year.

US Defence Secretary's comments came&nbsp;a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to stick with Saudi Arabia as an ally despite the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul October 2.

(With inputs from agencies)

UN envoy Martin Griffiths met with Yemeni rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi Thursday to discuss logistics ahead of planned peace talks in Sweden in December, a rebel spokesman said.

UN envoy Martin Griffiths met with Yemeni rebel chief Abdulmalik al-Huthi Thursday to discuss logistics ahead of planned peace talks in Sweden in December, a rebel spokesman said. The two men addressed "what can facilitate new discussions in December and procedures needed to transport injured and sick for treatment abroad and bring them back", Huthi spokesman Mohammed Abdelsalam said on Twitter. The rebel chief urged the UN to remain "balanced and neutral in its work to find a political solution", Abdelsalam added. The conflict in Yemen, which escalated when the Saudi-led alliance intervened in 2015, has killed thousands and sparked what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis. Nearly 10,000 people have been killed in the conflict since then, according to the World Health Organization, though some rights groups estimate the toll could be five times higher. Peace talks aimed at ending the war in Yemen have been set for early December in Sweden, between Huthi rebels and the UN-recognized government, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis said Wednesday. Mattis last month made a surprise call for a ceasefire in Yemen and urged warring parties to enter negotiations within the next 30 days. The United Nations has now pushed that deadline back to the end of the year. US Defence Secretary's comments came a day after US President Donald Trump vowed to stick with Saudi Arabia as an ally despite the gruesome murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul October 2. (With inputs from agencies)

UN envoy, Yemen rebel chief meet ahead of peace talks: Rebels

Tehran strongly denied on Wednesday that it had supplied weapons to Yemeni rebels which they used in attacks on its arch foe Saudi Arabia as alleged by both Riyadh and Washington.&nbsp;&quot;We have no arms link with Yemen&quot;, foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told the ISNA news agency, after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday that it suggested was &quot;Iranian-manufactured&quot;.

&quot;The accusation that Iran gives weapons to various groups is rejected and we strongly deny it&quot;, he said.&nbsp;&quot;Yemen is in a blockade and such possibility does not exist anyway&quot;.&nbsp;The audacious attack aimed at the heart of Saudi power follows the downing of another missile last month near Riyadh airport that triggered the tightening of a Saudi-led blockade on hunger-stricken Yemen.

Weapons used by the rebels &quot;to defend against violation and non-stop attacks&quot; are leftovers of previous governments, Ghasemi said.&nbsp;&quot;There isn&#39;t even the possibility of sending humanitarian aid&quot;.&nbsp;A Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite rebels in Yemen since March 2015 and has repeatedly accused Shiite Iran of backing its co-religionists.

&quot;The possession of Iranian-manufactured ballistic weapons by terrorist organisations, including the Iran-backed Huthi militia, is a threat to regional and international security&quot;, coalition spokesman said on Tuesday.&nbsp;US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley described the strike as bearing &quot;all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons&quot;.

She said Washington would be discussing options for Security Council action against Tehran, although that immediately drew strong reservations from Moscow.&nbsp;More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the beleaguered government&#39;s fight against the rebels, triggering what the UN has called the world&#39;s worst humanitarian crisis.

'We have no arms link with Yemen', foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told the ISNA news agency

Tehran strongly denied on Wednesday that it had supplied weapons to Yemeni rebels which they used in attacks on its arch foe Saudi Arabia as alleged by both Riyadh and Washington. "We have no arms link with Yemen", foreign ministry spokesman Bahram Ghasemi told the ISNA news agency, after Saudi Arabia said it had intercepted a rebel missile over Riyadh on Tuesday that it suggested was "Iranian-manufactured". "The accusation that Iran gives weapons to various groups is rejected and we strongly deny it", he said. "Yemen is in a blockade and such possibility does not exist anyway". The audacious attack aimed at the heart of Saudi power follows the downing of another missile last month near Riyadh airport that triggered the tightening of a Saudi-led blockade on hunger-stricken Yemen. Weapons used by the rebels "to defend against violation and non-stop attacks" are leftovers of previous governments, Ghasemi said. "There isn't even the possibility of sending humanitarian aid". A Saudi-led coalition has been battling Shiite rebels in Yemen since March 2015 and has repeatedly accused Shiite Iran of backing its co-religionists. "The possession of Iranian-manufactured ballistic weapons by terrorist organisations, including the Iran-backed Huthi militia, is a threat to regional and international security", coalition spokesman said on Tuesday. US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley described the strike as bearing "all the hallmarks of previous attacks using Iranian-provided weapons". She said Washington would be discussing options for Security Council action against Tehran, although that immediately drew strong reservations from Moscow. More than 8,750 people have been killed since Saudi Arabia and its allies joined the beleaguered government's fight against the rebels, triggering what the UN has called the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

Iran 'strongly denies' arming Yemen rebels

Iran-backed rebels convened Yemen&#39;s parliament today in defiance of the internationally recognised government, prompting condemnation from President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. 
 
The session in rebel-held Sanaa was the first time parliament has convened in almost two years and comes after the Huthis rejected a UN peace plan and appointed a council to run the country. 
 
Parliamentary sources said that 91 lawmakers in the 301-member national assembly attended the session. All voted in favour of the council which was created last week. 
 
The Huthi rebels overran Sanaa in September 2014 and then fought their way into other parts of Yemen, forcing Hadi and his government into exile in Saudi Arabia. 
 
A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Huthis and their allies - supporters of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh - since March last year to shore up the Hadi government. 
 
After Sanaa&#39;s capture, many parliamentarians also sought refuge in other towns or overseas. 
 
Political and security sources in Sanaa told AFP that some lawmakers were forced to attend today&#39;s session after rebel threats, but without elaborating. 
 
Parliament chief Yehya al-Raie, a leading figure in Saleh&#39;s General People&#39;s Congress party, urged all MPs &quot;outside the country to review their positions&quot; and invited them to retake their seats. 
 
Hadi labels session &#39;a violation of constitution&#39;&nbsp; 
 
Hadi denounced the session as a &quot;violation&quot; of the constitution and a &quot;crime punishable by law&quot;, in remarks carried by the official sabanew.net website. 
 
&quot;Whatever takes place at this meeting has no legal effects and cannot be implemented,&quot; he said. 
 
According to the constitution, more than 150 lawmakers must be present for a vote to be held. 
 
Armed rebels were inside parliament for today&#39;s session, which was held as coalition warplanes pounded military targets around Sanaa, parliamentary sources said. 
 
UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has described the rebel governing council as a violation of commitments to the peace process. 
 
Last week, he suspended UN-brokered talks between rebels and the government. 
 
The UN says that more than 6,400 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Yemen since the coalition air campaign began in March last year. 
 
Arab coalition air strikes have hit rebel positions across northern Yemen as well in as the southwestern province of Taez as ground fighting raged on. 
 
The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said in a statement yesterday he was &quot;deeply alarmed by the intensification of violence across the country&quot;. 
 
&quot;The people of Yemen continue to bear the brunt of the suffering as a result of the inability of the parties to find a political solution&quot; to the conflict, he said. 
 
&quot;The return to full-scale hostilities only drives humanitarian needs further,&quot; he said. 
 
The fighting in Yemen has driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 per cent of the population needing humanitarian aid, the UN says. 
 
(Agencies)

The session in rebel-held Sanaa was the first time parliament has convened in almost two years. It was attended by 91 lawmakers

Iran-backed rebels convened Yemen's parliament today in defiance of the internationally recognised government, prompting condemnation from President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi. The session in rebel-held Sanaa was the first time parliament has convened in almost two years and comes after the Huthis rejected a UN peace plan and appointed a council to run the country. Parliamentary sources said that 91 lawmakers in the 301-member national assembly attended the session. All voted in favour of the council which was created last week. The Huthi rebels overran Sanaa in September 2014 and then fought their way into other parts of Yemen, forcing Hadi and his government into exile in Saudi Arabia. A Saudi-led coalition has been fighting the Huthis and their allies - supporters of ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh - since March last year to shore up the Hadi government. After Sanaa's capture, many parliamentarians also sought refuge in other towns or overseas. Political and security sources in Sanaa told AFP that some lawmakers were forced to attend today's session after rebel threats, but without elaborating. Parliament chief Yehya al-Raie, a leading figure in Saleh's General People's Congress party, urged all MPs "outside the country to review their positions" and invited them to retake their seats. Hadi labels session 'a violation of constitution' Hadi denounced the session as a "violation" of the constitution and a "crime punishable by law", in remarks carried by the official sabanew.net website. "Whatever takes place at this meeting has no legal effects and cannot be implemented," he said. According to the constitution, more than 150 lawmakers must be present for a vote to be held. Armed rebels were inside parliament for today's session, which was held as coalition warplanes pounded military targets around Sanaa, parliamentary sources said. UN envoy Ismail Ould Cheikh Ahmed has described the rebel governing council as a violation of commitments to the peace process. Last week, he suspended UN-brokered talks between rebels and the government. The UN says that more than 6,400 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in Yemen since the coalition air campaign began in March last year. Arab coalition air strikes have hit rebel positions across northern Yemen as well in as the southwestern province of Taez as ground fighting raged on. The United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Yemen, Jamie McGoldrick, said in a statement yesterday he was "deeply alarmed by the intensification of violence across the country". "The people of Yemen continue to bear the brunt of the suffering as a result of the inability of the parties to find a political solution" to the conflict, he said. "The return to full-scale hostilities only drives humanitarian needs further," he said. The fighting in Yemen has driven 2.8 million people from their homes and left more than 80 per cent of the population needing humanitarian aid, the UN says. (Agencies)

Yemen rebels convene parliament to defy Saudi-backed exiled government, Hadi denounces session

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