Aid group: Thousands of Yemeni children fleeing fighting

An international aid group says about 3,000 Yemeni children are fleeing every day from the port city of Hodeida as fighting between a Saudi-led coalition and Yemen's Shiite rebels continues to rage there.

Thursday's statement by Save the Children says that 6,238 people — half of them children — leave Hodeida on average every day but their trek to safer areas is perilous.

Save the Children says families often find themselves "having to brave minefields, airstrikes and being forced to cross areas of active fighting all in a bid to escape" Hodeida.

The aid group urges Yemen's warring parties to join U.N. peace efforts.

The Saudi-led coalition, backing Yemen's internationally recognized government, seeks to retake rebel-held areas along the country's western coast including Hodeida, a vital lifeline for most Yemenis.