Clashes, missiles leave Yemen truce in tatters

A Yemen ceasefire appeared to have collapsed Friday as government forces captured two towns from rebels and an allied Arab coalition accused insurgents of escalating the conflict by firing ballistic missiles.

The truce has been repeatedly violated and the Saudi-led coalition warned it was close to abandoning the agreement, aimed at helping parallel UN-sponsored peace talks which opened Tuesday in Switzerland.

Delegates at the peace talks being held behind closed doors did not meet Friday as the rebels snubbed a morning meeting.

"Last night, they already expressed reservations," said a member of the government delegation, requesting anonymity.

Forces loyal to President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi and allied tribesmen on Friday captured Hazm, the capital of northern Jawf province, after making significant gains in the neighbouring region of Marib, tribal sources said.

On Thursday, government troops captured the border town of Haradh after crossing over from Saudi Arabia, where they have been trained and equipped, military sources said.