60 killed in Yemen clashes, airstrikes

Clashes between rebels and pro-government forces and Saudi-led air strikes killed at least 60 people in Yemen, medics and military sources say Sunday, after Riyadh pledges to fund a UN aid appeal.

Ten Houthi rebels and four pro-Hadi “popular committees” militiamen were killed in pre-dawn clashes in the southwestern city of Taez, the sources say.

On Sunday, coalition warplanes pounded Houthi positions in Taez, an AFP correspondent says, adding that the streets were empty and shops were closed.

Air strikes on Shiite rebel positions in the southern city of Daleh as well as clashes on Sunday killed 17 Houthis and six southern fighters.

Seven more Houthis were killed in an attack by tribesmen in the southern province of Shabwa.

In Aden, 11 Houthis and five pro-Hadi fighters were killed in clashes on Saturday night and Sunday morning, military sources say.

The pro-Hadi fighters recaptured the Russian consulate and a Hadi residence from the Houthis, they add.

Saudi King Salman orders the aid pledge following a UN appeal on Friday for $274 million (253 million euros) in emergency assistance for the millions affected by Yemen’s multi-sided conflict.

The kingdom “stands with its Yemeni brothers” and hopes for “the restoration of security and stability”, the state Saudi Press Agency says.

— AFP