Saudi Arabia yesterday (April 18) pledged to cover the entire $274 million in humanitarian aid sought by the UN for conflict-torn Yemen, a report said.

The UN says hundreds of people have died and thousands of families fled their homes in the war, which has also killed six Saudi security personnel in border skirmishes. Coalition warplanes continued strikes around the Houthi rebel-held capital Sana'a, where thick clouds of grey smoke and a fireball rose from one military post, reported the Gulf Daily News, our sister publication.

At least 27 people died in Taez during overnight clashes between loyalist forces and the Houthis, medical sources said.

Saudi King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud ordered the humanitarian pledge following a UN appeal on Friday for $274 million in emergency assistance for the millions affected by Yemen's war.

The kingdom 'stands with its Yemeni brothers' and hopes for 'the restoration of security and stability', the state Saudi Press Agency said, quoting an official statement.

Meanwhile, coalition forces spokesman Brig Gen Ahmed bin Hasan Asiri said relief operations are gaining momentum in Yemen.

Four aircraft loaded with relief supplies from the UAE and Qatar have landed in Djibouti in the last two days, which have been airlifted to Aden and Hodeida, he said, adding that other shipments will arrive soon at Yemeni ports. – TradeArabia News Service