Scores killed in battle for western Yemeni city

Yemeni security officials say heavy fighting between pro-government forces and the Shia Houthi rebels besieging the western city of Taiz has killed 71 people in the past two days.

The officials said on Friday that 11 of those killed were civilians and the rest were fighters from both sides. Another 100 people have been wounded in fighting in the city, where a Saudi-led coalition is carrying out airstrikes against the rebels.

Yemen’s fighting pits the Houthis and allied army units against the internationally recognised government. The U.N. says at least 2,577 civilians were killed since the Saudi-led air campaign began in March.

The officials remain neutral in the conflict that has splintered Yemen’s armed forces. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorised to brief reporters.