Fighting across Yemen has killed more than 270 government troops and Iran-backed Houthi fighters over the past day, sources on both sides told AFP.

Fighting has intensified in Yemen since the internationally recognised government, which is backed by Saudi Arabia, launched a counter-offensive aimed at recovering territory seized by Houthi fighters last month.

Government sources told AFP on condition of anonymity that 115 troops had died over the past 24 hours, and that dozens of others were wounded in fighting, and by Houthi missile and drone attacks.

The focus of the violence is on southwest Yemen, around the Bab al-Mandab strait that is crucial to global energy flows.