CRI听力:Widening Conflict Looms over Yemen Crisis

The Saudi-led intervention is pitting the Saudis and their Arab allies against Iran, which is widely believed to be backing the Houthi rebels in Yemen.

This has led to the prospect of a wider conflict emerging.

It's since prompted the United Nations to respond, with the Secretary-General calling on member states to refrain from interfering in Yemen.

U.N. deputy spokesperson Farhan Haq.

"The Secretary-General recalls the Security Council's Presidential Statement of 22 March which, while supporting the legitimacy of the President of Yemen, Abdo Rabbo Mansour Hadi, called upon all parties and Member States to refrain from taking any actions that undermine the unity, sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Yemen."

The military operation is also supported by the Arab League, which is describing it as a "mission against terrorism."

The intervention was requested by ousted President Hadi, who had taken refuge in Yemen's second largest city of Aden.

The port city then became a target by the Houthi fighters, prompting Hadi to go into hiding.

He's since arrived in the Saudi capital, Riyadh, and is expected to travel from there to Egypt to take part in an Arab League summit this weekend.

Meanwhile, the United States, a key ally of the Hadi Administration, says it's providing "logistical and intelligence support" in the mission.

At the same time, reports are suggesting Pakistan may be considering a request to send ground forces.

For its part, Iran is demanding an immediate halt to all military operations in Yemen, saying it is going to take all necessary steps to try to control the evolving crisis.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif.

"We believe that these military actions can only plunge the region further into turmoil and will have no benefit for any of the countries who enter into such actions. We have done our utmost to try to limit and control this crisis and will hopefully continue these actions."

Russian President Vladimir Putin has also weighed in on the situation, placing a call to Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, calling for Iran to help end the fighting.

The widening conflict in Yemen may also pose a risk to global oil supplies.

Most oil tankers from Arab producers, such as Saudi Arabia, have to pass along Yemen's coastline en-route to Europe.

International Brent Crude prices have jumped almost 6 percent since the outset of the Saudi-led intervention in Yemen.

For CRI, I'm Qi Zhi.