Yemen crisis: Saudi warships evacuate Aden diplomats
A Saudi-led coalition carried out air strikes on the Yemeni capital Sanaa for a third night on Friday
Saudi Arabia has evacuated dozens of its own and foreign diplomats from Yemen's southern city of Aden.
The move comes after a third night of airstrikes by a Saudi-led coalition failed to halt the advance of Houthi rebels towards the city.
Yemen President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi fled from Aden to Saudi Arabia on Wednesday as rebels closed in.
On Saturday he will address an Arab League summit focused on the crisis in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt.
A possible ground offensive against the Houthis is expected to be on the agenda.
The Houthis are backed by Saudi Arabia's regional rival, Iran.
Saudi state TV reported on Saturday that overnight: "The Saudi Royal Navy implemented an operation called Tornado to evacuate dozens of diplomats, including Saudis, from Aden."
Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait relocated their embassies to Aden last month after Houthi rebel forces overran the capital Sanaa.
Media captionThe BBC's Jeremy Bowen: "The Gulf states will find that victory in Yemen's wars do not come easily or quickly"
Sharm el-Sheikh Summit
The annual Arab League summit was originally scheduled to discuss a joint Arab military force, but will now focus of the Yemen crisis. It includes members of the Saudi assembled coalition, codenamed Operation Decisive Storm.
On Friday night, Yemeni Foreign Minister Riad Yassin said there was an "arrangement" for ground troops of the Saudi-led coalition to deploy in Yemen.
Egypt President Sisi welcomes Yemen President Hadi; Egypt has already pledged warplanes, ships and ground troops if needed.
US President Barack Obama has reaffirmed his support for the operation. On Friday the US military rescued two Saudi pilots who ejected from their F-15 fighter jet over the Gulf of Aden, a US defence official said.
Residents reported an intense overnight bombardment of both Aden and the capital Sanaa, in the third day of airstrikes.
Since the air campaign began, at least 39 civilians - including six children under the age of 10 - have been killed, Yemen health ministry officials say.
Former Yemen President Ali Abdullah Saleh - whose supporters are fighting alongside the rebels - has called for a truce.
Screaming and crying
A resident of Sanaa, Mohammed al-Jabahi, told AFP news agency that his family had spent the night in fear.
"Whenever a plane flies over our home and is met by anti-aircraft gunfire, my three children run to a corner and start screaming and crying," he said.
Houthi rebels have taken to the streets to defy Saudi led airstrikes
The Houthis have said their aim is to replace Mr Hadi's government, which they accuse of being corrupt. They also want to implement the outcomes of a National Dialogue that was convened after President Saleh was forced to hand over power in 2011.
Rebel leader Abdul Malik al-Houthi has vowed not to surrender to what he called the "unjustified aggression".
Iran has also criticised the Saudi intervention. "They have to stop," Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said on Friday.
"Everybody has to encourage dialogue and national reconciliation in Yemen rather than making it more difficult for Yemenis to come together."
Yemen - who is fighting whom?
Soldiers and militiamen loyal to the president failed to halt rebel forces advancing southwards
The Houthis: Zaidi Shia-led rebels from the north, who seized control of Sanaa last year and have since been expanding their control
President Hadi: Fled to Saudi Arabia after rebel forces advanced on his stronghold in the southern city of Aden
Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula: Seen by the US as the most dangerous offshoot of al-Qaeda, AQAP opposes both the Houthis and President Hadi.
Islamic State: A Yemeni affiliate of IS has recently emerged, which seeks to eclipse AQAP
