Sanaa

Saudi airstrikes in Yemen's capital kill 29

The coalition's airstrikes hit an apartment building in the center of the capital, a UNESCO world heritage site, killing a family of nine, the officials who remain neutral in the conflict that has divided Yemen's security forces said.

One more civilian was killed and the search for more that may be buried under rubble is ongoing. The rebels, known as Houthis, lost 19 fighters in the overnight attack, the officials said.

Saudi-led coalition pounds Yemen rebels near central city

The heavy bombardment came hours after the rebels, known as Houthis, aired footage on their satellite television channel purporting to show a Saudi soldier held as a prisoner of war. 

A top al-Qaida leader in Yemen meanwhile praised the campaign against the Houthis and called for Islamic rule in the Arab world's poorest country.

VIDEO: Aftermath of coalition airstrike in Sanaa

The Houthis still control the capital and are resisting a push by pro-government forces along several frontlines around the country.

Yemen has been torn by a ferocious war pitting the Houthis and forces fighting for former President Ali Abdullah Saleh against Hadi loyalists, as well as southern separatists, local militias and Sunni extremists.

The conflict escalated in March as a Saudi-led coalition launched airstrikes against the Houthis.

Yemen officials: Saudi-led coalition strike kills 25 people

The rebels, known as Houthis, say the early Monday strike hit the Sawan neighborhood in eastern Sanaa.

Smoke billowed from the slum area, which lies hundreds of meters (yards) from a military camp used by the rebels.

Airstrikes and ground fighting in Yemen have continued for the third day despite a U.N.-brokered truce between the rebels and the internationally-backed government in exile and its allies.

Saudi-led strikes target Yemen rebel camps, kill 8 in Sanaa

The officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak to journalists, say that warplanes hit at least eight other Yemeni provinces on Thursday.

In Sanaa, the airstrikes also hit several houses of military leaders loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, who is allied with the Houthis.

The rebel-held Ministry of Interior says the raids in Sanaa killed 8 people, without specifying whether they were civilians.