UN shuttle diplomacy aims to avert assault on Yemen port of Hodeidah

UNITED NATIONS/WASHINGTON - The United Nations is engaged in "intense" shuttle diplomacy between the Houthi group in Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in a bid to avert an attack on Yemen's port city of Hodeidah, UN chief Antonio Guterres said on Monday.

A Saudi-led coalition military attack or siege on the Houthi-held western city, long a target in the war, could cost up to 250,000 lives in a worst-case scenario, the UN has warned. The Red Sea port is a lifeline for millions of people, handling most of the country's commercial imports and humanitarian aid supplies.

Heavy fighting in Yemen between pro-government forces and the rebels has killed more than 600 people on both sides in recent days, security officials said on Monday.