Shiite Houthi rebels

Yemen officials say rebels trading fire with coalition ships

The fighting is taking place near the Bab al-Mandab straight, the strategic southern entrance to the Red Sea and the gateway to the Suez Canal.

The development comes amid land clashes Thursday near the straight between units loyal to President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and rebel forces.

Saudi Arabia denies striking Yemen wedding party

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Asiri tells The Associated Press Wednesday that "we did not conduct any operations in that area two days ago," referring to Monday's incident, in which more than 130 people were killed in the deadliest single event of Yemen's civil war.

Asiri says there is no evidence of what caused the deaths, and that ordinary civilians cannot distinguish between airstrikes, missiles, cannon fire or local explosions.

Yemen officials: Death toll from strikes on wedding at 131

The U.N. says at least 2,355 civilians have been killed in fighting since March, when the coalition began launching airstrikes against Shiite Houthi rebels and allied army units, who control the capital and are at war with the internationally recognized government as well as southern separatists, local militias and Sunni extremists.

Yemeni rebels bombed by Saudi-led coalition in key province

Shiite Houthi rebels said more than 20 coalition airstrikes hit the province.

Saudi Arabia is leading a coalition of mainly Gulf nations fighting the Houthis. The coalition suffered its worst day of losses Friday in the missile strike in Marib.

On Friday, Bahrain's state news agency also reported that five of its soldiers were killed guarding Saudi Arabia's southern border, without elaborating. Yemen is the only country on that border in which hostilities are underway.