Saudi Arabia launches military operation in Yemen - envoy

• Saudi Arabia has launched a military operation - including air strikes - in Yemen against Houthi Shia rebels, the Saudi ambassador in the US has said.

• Adel al-Jubeir said Saudi Arabia acted to "defend the legitimate government" of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

• The Iran-backed rebels have made rapid gains in recent months, forcing Mr Hadi to flee the capital Sanaa.

• Residents said explosions could be heard in Sanaa and the city's airport after the Saudi announcement.

• Meanwhile, Mohammed al-Bukhaiti, senior Houthi rebel, warned that the Saudi operation amounted to an aggression against Yemen and could set off a "wide war" in the region, according to Reuters news agency.

• Recent developments have also raised fears that Iran - who is Saudi Arabia's major regional rival - could be drawn into the conflict.

• In a separate development, reports said the Houthi rebels had seized secret US intelligence files describing US operations in Yemen.

• The files reportedly contained informants' identities as well as counter-terrorism operation plans, the Los Angeles Times reportsed.

• 'Ransom for president'

• Speaking in Washington on Wednesday, Mr Jubeir said the Saudi operation - which involved air strikes - began at 23:00 GMT

• Map showing Houthi areas of influence

• Mr Jubeir stressed that the Saudis "will do anything necessary'' to protect the people of the neighbouring Yemen and "the legitimate government of Yemen".

• This come despite sources in Saudi Arabia telling Reuters earlier on Wednesday that there were no plans for military intervention in the crisis, and that the reported build-up of military forces on its border with Yemen was "purely defensive".

• Mr Jubeir also said Gulf states supported the Saudi operation.

• According to a statement issued by the Saudi Press Agency, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates said they would answer President Hadi's call for help.

• The countries are members of the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC), who Mr Hadi earlier urged to intervene.

• The embattled Yemeni president also asked the UN Security Council to back military action by "willing countries" against the Houthi rebels.

• Also on Wednesday, reports said Mr Hadi fled his palace in Aden as the rebels rebels advanced towards the southern port city.

• But Yemeni government officials denied suggestions that the president has fled the country, and said he remained in Aden.

• Meanwhile, Yemen's state television, which is controlled by the rebels, announced a ransom for anyone who captures the "fugitive" president.

• 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: Backed by military and police loyalists, and by militia known as Popular Resistance Committees, he is trying to fight back against the rebels from his stronghold in the south

• 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.

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