Saudi Navy Evacuates Diplomats from Yemen's Aden

Saudi warships evacuated dozens of foreign diplomats from Yemen's main southern city Aden hours before the kingdom launched an air war on advancing Shiite rebels, state media announced on Saturday.

The official SPA news agency said that 86 people had been pulled out on Wednesday.

It was only announced after their arrival at a Saudi naval base in Jeddah on Saturday aboard two vessels.

"Saudi naval forces carried out Operation Tornado to evacuate dozens of diplomats, including Saudis, from Aden," state television said.

The port city has been shaken by fighting between supporters and opponents of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi, who took refuge there last month after fleeing the rebel-held capital.

Hadi arrived in Egypt on Friday to join allies at an Arab summit, a day after he surfaced in Riyadh.

He went into hiding earlier in the week as rebel forces bore down on Aden and a warplane attacked the presidential palace.

A Saudi-led coalition has carried out three nights of air strikes against the Iranian-backed Huthi rebels and their allies to try to prevent Hadi's fall.

The situation has become increasingly tense in Aden with rebel forces clashing with anti-Huthi militiamen in several areas.

On Friday, at least eight people were killed in fighting around the city's international airport.