UAE denounces occupation of embassy in Sanaa by Houthis

Abu Dhabi - Over 80 killed in battle for Yemeni city of Taez

The UAE has condemned in the strongest possible terms the occupation of its embassy in the Yemeni capital, Sanaa, by the Houthi group.
In a statement, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs called for the evacuation of the embassy immediately and restore it to the embassy staff, adding that the UAE retains the right to bring perpetrators of this attack to justice and accountability.
"This act is a further evidence that the group which committed this attack does not show any regard or respect for international conventions and diplomatic norms, as it practises jungle law," the statement said.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting between government loyalists and rebels for control of Yemen's third city Taez has killed more than 80 people in the past 24 hours, military sources said on Monday.
Pro-government and rebel forces have for months fought over Taez, seen as crucial gateway to the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
But clashes in the city have intensified in recent days after pro-government forces made sweeping territorial gains against the Iran-backed rebels in southern Yemen.
Sources in the city said that the bodies of 50 rebels and allied fighters were recovered from Taez on Monday and that 31 pro-government fighters had been killed.
The Saudi military said two soldiers have been killed along the border by a missile fired from inside Yemen.
The statement released on Monday said the soldiers were killed in the Saudi border region of Jizan.
Backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, the loyalists have been pushing hard to take Taez, seizing several strategic locations on Sunday. - Agencies
Coalition strikes continued to hit rebel positions in the city on Monday, witnesses said, as well as in other Yemeni provinces.
Meanwhile, heavy fighting between government loyalists and rebels for control of Yemen's third city Taez has killed more than 80 people in the past 24 hours, military sources said on Monday.
Pro-government and rebel forces have for months fought over Taez, seen as crucial gateway to the rebel-held capital Sanaa.
The Saudi military said two soldiers have been killed along the border by a missile fired from inside Yemen.
The statement released on Monday said the soldiers were killed in the Saudi border region of Jizan.
Backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, the loyalists have been pushing hard to take Taez, seizing several strategic locations on Sunday.
Coalition strikes continued to hit rebel positions in the city on Monday, witnesses said, as well as in other Yemeni provinces.
The MoFA stressed that the occupation of the embassy and the evacuation of embassy staff will not deter the UAE's support for the restoration of stability to sisterly Yemen.
"This criminal act is a flagrant violation of international law, the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961 relating to the immunities enjoyed by foreign embassies, and United Nations General Assembly resolution 121/69, on taking effective measures to enhance the protection, security and safety of diplomatic and consular missions, diplomatic and consular representatives, adopted at the General Assembly in December 2014. - Wam

• MENA