Saudi Arabia has launched air strikes in Yemen against Shia Houthi rebels, the Saudi ambassador in the US has said.
Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia acted to “defend the legitimate government” of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi, the BBC informs.
Supporters of President Hadi say that they recaptured Aden airport on Thursday after heavy fighting with forces allied to Houthi fighters. The Iran-backed rebels have made rapid gains in recent months. They have forced Mr Hadi to flee the capital Sanaa.
News footage of the strikes broadcast by Saudi-owned Al-Hadath TV showed flashing lights and apparent machine gun fire.
Saudi Arabia is supplying 100 warplanes and 150,000 soldiers for the operation, Saudi-owned al-Arabiya television reported on Thursday.
Jordanian officials say that its air force jets are taking part in the operation.
In addition the Saudi Press Agency (SPA) said that the operation had the support of Sudan, Morocco, Egypt and Pakistan which were willing if necessary to take part.