Airstrikes Against Yemen Rebels 'At An End'

The air campaign against Shia rebels in Yemen has finished, a spokesman for the Saudi-led coalition has revealed.

The near month-long airstrikes will be scaled down, but the coalition will continue to prevent rebel movements and protect civilians.

Speaking at a news conference in Saudi capital Riyadh, Brigadier General Ahmed Asiri said rebel military capabilities had been destroyed.

He added that the rebels, known as Houthis, no longer pose a danger to civilians and that a new phase - dubbed "Renewal of Hope" - will focus on rebuilding.

He said: "To implement this we will continue to have our operation. Inside a city like Aden we will continue to protect civilians to prevent these militias from sustaining their operations."

Saudi Arabia's ground and naval forces will continue to guard its border with Yemen and halt shipments to the rebels.

The US-supported campaign by Saudi Arabia and its allies has aimed to crush the Houthis who have taken over Sanaa and much of northern Yemen.

On Tuesday, 20 rebels were killed during artillery fire in the western city of Ibb. Some 38 civilians were killed on Monday after air strikes on the capital Sanaa.

Saudi Arabia has accused Iran of arming the Houthis, but Tehran has denied the claim.

It comes after the US Navy said aircraft carrier the USS Theodore Roosevelt was heading to waters off Yemen to shore up security and join other US shops preparing to intercept Iranian weapons thought to be carrying weapons to rebels.

A UN Security Council resolution last week imposed an arms embargo on Houthi leaders.