Yemen Recalls Envoy from Tehran

Yemen's government in exile said Thursday it was recalling the head of its embassy in Iran, accusing Tehran of "interference in our affairs and support for the Huthis" rebelling against authorities.

"The legitimate government of Yemen is recalling charge d'affaires Abdullah al-Sirri," a statement from the press office of President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi said.

Hadi fled to Riyadh in late March as the Iran-backed Huthis advanced on his refuge in Yemen's port city of Aden.

A Saudi-led coalition then began bombing the rebels and their allies in an attempt to halt their advance, but heavy combat continued on the ground between the rebels and forces loyal to Hadi.

A five-day humanitarian pause in the war began late Tuesday but the coalition has accused the rebels of violating it.

Tehran has dismissed as "utter lies" accusations that it armed the rebels.

Sunni-dominated Saudi Arabia feared the Huthis would occupy all of Yemen and move it into the orbit of its regional rival Iran.