Abdulmalik Al-huthi

Loyalist forces began a major offensive on Monday aimed at retaking Yemen's largest airbase which is held by rebels, as troops from the Saudi-led coalition entered recaptured second city Aden.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt are considering holding large-scale military exercises after launching air strikes on Yemeni rebels who have been slapped with a UN arms embargo and sanctions.

Events in Yemen are pushing the country "to the edge of a civil war," a UN special envoy warned on Sunday, calling for all parties to resolve the escalating conflict peacefully.

Tens of thousands of people joined an anti-government rally in Sanaa on Monday in response to a call by Shiite rebel commander Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.

Loyalist forces began a major offensive on Monday aimed at retaking Yemen's largest airbase which is held by rebels, as troops from the Saudi-led coalition entered recaptured second city Aden.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt are considering holding large-scale military exercises after launching air strikes on Yemeni rebels who have been slapped with a UN arms embargo and sanctions.

Events in Yemen are pushing the country "to the edge of a civil war," a UN special envoy warned on Sunday, calling for all parties to resolve the escalating conflict peacefully.

Tens of thousands of people joined an anti-government rally in Sanaa on Monday in response to a call by Shiite rebel commander Abdulmalik al-Huthi, an AFP journalist reported.