UN concerned about deteriorating situation in Yemen

The UN Security Council has expressed concern over the deteriorating situation in northern Yemen, calling for implementing the existing ceasefire agreements.

"The members of the Security Council have demanded that all armed groups and other parties involved in the current violence should disarm," Xinhua quoted a UN statement as saying.

"The members of the Security Council demanded all armed groups and parties involved in the violence withdraw and relinquish control of Amran and hand over weapons and ammunition pillaged in Amran to government authorities," the statement said.

More than 300 people were killed this month in clashes between the army and Shia rebels in Yemen's northern provinces of Amran and al-Jouf following the collapse of the latest truce.

The government and Shia rebels signed two ceasefire deals in June, but failed to abide by them.

The officials accused the rebels of wanting to expand control over the country's northern regions, which the rebels denied, saying they sought to provide protection to their tribal followers from the Sunni tribes.