Egypt condemned on Tuesday an attack by the Houthis on the UAE's diplomatic mission in Sanaa, saying the event in the Yemeni capital will "only make the Arab coalition stronger and more determined."

A statement issued by the Egyptian foreign ministry described the attack as an unacceptable violation of international treaties, and called on the Houthis to immediately withdraw from the premises of the UAE embassy without jeopardizing the welfare of its staffers.

The embassy takeover comes as Yemeni loyalists backed by the UAE and Saudi Arabia continue advance against rebels in several southern provinces as well as in the country's third city Taez, that is seen as a gateway to the rebel-held capital.

The UAE shut its embassy in Sanaa and announced it would open another in the southern city Aden, which was the scene of intense fighting between local government supporters and the rebels, before the former retook the city in mid-July.

It is unclear how many employees were at the Sanaa embassy and if it had been operational when it was stormed.