Houthis advance on Aden as govt bolsters city defences

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Houthis advance on Aden as govt bolsters city defences

Yemen's Houthis were advancing on the interim seat of the internationally recognised government on Sunday, positioned just 60 kilometres from Aden, sources told AFP, as government forces rushed to defend the city.

Four military sources within government forces and two government sources said the Houthis had seized control of two districts in Lahj province and were moving towards Aden.

They said the Houthis were positioned at the Al-Kharaz camp in Al-Madariba, 60 kilometres from the city.

The Houthis, who control most of northwest Yemen the country's most populous region have been battling the Saudi-backed government for territory for more than a decade.

In recent weeks they have made major gains on the ground, seizing the Red Sea coast in a lightning offensive, while launching regular attacks on Saudi Arabia.

Yemen's government on Sunday said it was redeploying its forces from areas near the Red Sea to reinforce troops "where current circumstances require", with securing Aden and nearby provinces taking priority.

Military officials told AFP on Friday that government forces had begun erecting sandbag defences and digging tunnels around Aden as the Houthis pressed southwards.

Four military sources confirmed the withdrawal from Red Sea areas after the Houthis advanced along the coast of Lahj province, which lies between the strategic Bab al-Mandab strait and Aden.

The Houthis have also seized the mountainous region of Al-Maqatirah, through which runs the main road connecting Aden to Taiz, which has been under Houthi siege for weeks.

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