Sana’a: Yemen’s exiled government yesterday announced the “liberation” of second city Aden after four months of fighting between loyalist forces and Iran-backed rebels.
But rebels continued to control some districts of the city, witnesses said, adding fighting was underway in central areas of the southern port.
“The government announces the liberation of the province of Aden on the first day of Eid Al Fitr which falls on July 17,” Vice- President Khaled Bahah said on Facebook.
“We will work to restore life in Aden and all liberated cities to restore water and electricity,” said Bahah, also prime minister.
A government statement confirmed the liberation of Aden.
On Tuesday, loyalist forces launched Operation Golden Arrow against Shia Houthi rebels, who seized control of much of Aden in March, forcing the government into exile in Saudi Arabia.
The counter-offensive was carried out by southern militiamen of Popular Resistance, backed by reinforcements trained and equipped in Saudi Arabia.
Riyadh has been leading a coalition of Arab countries, waging an air campaign against the rebels and renegade troops loyal to former president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Aden was President Abdrabhu Mansur Hadi’s last refuge after he fled the capital earlier this year as the rebels took over the government, launched an offensive and seized much of the country.
The exiled government’s official news agency said loyalist forces had mopped up the last pockets of rebel resistance in the city’s Mualla district.
They secured the airport and the surrounding Khormaksar diplomatic district earlier this week.
But witnesses said rebels were still in control of the city’s Tawahi district. Clashes are raging on the edges of Mualla, which leads into Tawahi, they said.
Pro-Hadi fighters “are trying to advance towards Tawahi but facing resistance,” said one witness.
The Houthis are also holding onto their positions in Dar Saad northern neighbourhood and continue to control the northern and eastern entries into Aden.
AFP
