Yemen retracts statement on gatherings in Houthi-controlled areas - AP

 Yemen's defense ministry has retracted a statement that tribal mobilization gatherings in Houthi-controlled areas of the country would be considered a target, according to the Associated Press. 

In a social media post, Yemen's Defense Minister Taher al-Aqili said that these tribal gatherings, known as "Nakf," and other civilian assemblies would not be targeted. He added that Yemen's military would follow international humanitarian law in its operations.

Previously, the defense minister of Yemen's internationally recognized government warned against gathering in Houthi-controlled areas, suggesting that the Iran-aligned rebel group was using these meetings as "cultural courses" to mobilize support and recruit children, the AP reported.

Fighting between the Saudi-backed government forces and the Houthis in Yemen has been escalated in recent months, opening up a new front in a widening Middle East conflict. Earlier this month, the coalition forces began an offensive to take back Houthi-controlled areas, including territory dominating the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, a critical shipping chokepoint.

The Houthis, meanwhile, have been launching strikes at key Saudi infrastructure. This week, the state-owned oil company Saudi Aramco ordered the evacuation of its headquarters in Dhahran, near Bahrain, while the U.S. has told its diplomats and family members to leave the kingdom.

Worries have abounded that escalating tensions across the Middle East will dent oil flows out of the major crude-producing region. Benchmark Brent crude futures surged on Friday, touching the $114-a-barrel level for the first time since May.