Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck forces in southern Yemen backed by the United Arab Emirates.

Saudi warplanes have reportedly struck on Friday forces in southern Yemen backed by the United Arab Emirates, a separatist leader says. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Saudi Arabia declared a UAE-backed separatist advance in Yemen as a threat to Riyadh's national security, after a Saudi-led coalition said it struck a UAE weapons shipment destined to Yemen's STC separatist forces. The latter, backed by Abu Dhabi, are seeking to revive the formerly independent state of South Yemen thirty years after the country's unification. They made sweeping territorial gains after launching a lightning offensive in recent weeks. Jon Gambrell, Associate Press reporter, tells us more.

In an overnight strike, the Saudi military hit a Yemeni port saying they were neutralising a weapons shipments arriving from UAE and meant for the STC separatist group. The UAE has denied the shipment contained weapons and claimed the vehicles were not intended for any groups. Both countries have supported the fighting sides in the over-decade long war in Yemen, but this strike has turned this rivalry into an open dispute.

Saudi Arabia bombed Yemen's port city of Mukalla on Tuesday after a weapons shipment from the United Arab Emirates arrived for separatist forces in the war-torn country, and warned that it viewed Emirati actions as “extremely dangerous.” Story by Ellen Gainsford.

Saudi envoy claims Yemen's STC leader blocked a Saudi delegation's landing in Aden, halting flights at the international airport.