A top Saudi commander and an Emirati officer were killed Monday during Arab coalition operations against Iran-backed rebels in Yemen, the Riyadh-led alliance announced in a statement.

Saudi Colonel Abdullah al-Sahyan and Emirati officer Sultan al-Kitbi were killed at dawn on Monday "while they were carrying out their duties in supervising operations to liberate Taez" province in Yemen's southwest, the official SPA news agency said.

The United Arab Emirates, playing a key role in the Saudi-led coalition, confirmed the death of its officer.