Pro-government forces in Yemen have launched an offensive on the rebel-held capital of southern Abyan province, military sources say.
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In conflicting reports, officials in Yemen’s government claim that Egypt has sent ground troops to fight alongside government forces, while independent journalists and analysts say that there are no Egyptian soldiers present.
But Houthi fighters have endured weeks of attacks by heavily armed forces backed by aggressive airstrikes, pushing them out of the provinces of Aden, Dhale and Lahj in the restive south with the loss of control of the important al-Anad military base.
Southern militia sources said they had been killed by landmines planted by the Houthis while entering Zinjibar.
Saudi Arabia has continued bombarding several areas in Yemen, killing at least three people in the Yemeni province of Sa’ada. An Emirati plane also arrived late yesterday, he said, carrying navigation equipment to rehabilitate the airport, which was partly destroyed in fighting.
They were driven out of a key airbase this week, following the loss of Aden. They are pitted against southern separatists, local and tribal militias, Sunni Islamic militants and loyalists of exiled President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi.
Aden was Hadi’s last refuge before he fled into exile in neighbouring Saudi Arabia in March.
This week has seen fierce fighting in Zinjibar and heavy coalition air strikes against positions of the 15th Army Brigade allied to the Huthis. A Yemeni source said Saudi forces also fired over 70 rockets at the district of Kitaf in Sa’ada.
Neither country has publicly acknowledged sending forces there.
Houthi-linked gunmen abducted 10 members of Islamist Al Islah party, including a former minister and women.
The visit by Peter Maurer, set to last until Monday, is intended “to highlight the dire humanitarian situation in the country”, the Red Cross has said.
Al-Haj reported from Sanaa, Yemen.
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Sanaa’s Old City has been inhabited for more than 2,500 years and was a major centre for the propagation of religion, boasting more than 100 mosques, 14 public baths and more than 6,000 houses built before the 11th century.
