MOSCOW, Dec. 26 (Xinhua) -- Moscow is concerned about the escalation of the military and political situation in Yemen and calls on all parties involved to exercise restraint, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Friday.

She said that Russia calls on all parties involved to seek mutually acceptable compromise solutions to the existing problems and contradictions through constructive intra-Yemeni dialogue.

Russia welcomes the joint efforts by Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates aimed at de-escalating tensions as soon as possible and stabilizing the situation in southern Yemen, Zakharova said.

"We reaffirm our readiness to continue constructive engagement in pursuit of these goals with Yemen's official authorities and all influential political forces of this friendly country, as well as with Russia's partners in the region," she added.

Saudi warplanes on Friday carried out airstrikes on military sites affiliated with the Southern Transitional Council in Yemen's southeastern oil-rich province of Hadramout. Residents said that loud explosions were heard in parts of the province, while videos circulated on social media showed plumes of smoke rising from targeted areas following the air raids. ■