Published on 07:38 PM, March 19, 2015

Yemen crisis: Five killed during fighting at airport

Hadi allies clashed with backers of his predecessor and Houthi rebels at Aden's international airport. Photo: Reuters
BBC Online

Warplanes have targeted the compound used by Yemen's President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi in the southern port city of Aden, officials and witnesses say.

The officials said anti-aircraft guns returned fire and forced the planes to retreat. Smoke was seen rising from the compound afterwards.

There are conflicting reports about whether the president was inside.

The aircraft are believed to have been flown by forces loyal to the Houthi rebels who control the capital Sanaa.

Earlier, at least five people were killed in intense fighting around Aden's international airport.

Forces allied to Mr Hadi clashed with troops backing the Houthis and former President Ali Abdullah Saleh, after they launched an assault.

At least five people have been killed in the clashes. Photo : Reuters
A military vehicle is deployed on a street leading to the airport during clashes in Yemen's southern port city of Aden March 19, 2015. Photo Reuters

Aden has been the president's base since he fled Sanaa last month, after being placed under effective house arrest by the rebels in January.

The Houthis are taking the battle to President Hadi in Aden in order to prevent him from consolidating his new power base there, Arab affairs editor Sebastian Usher says.

The Houthis have taken over predominantly Sunni parts of central and western Yemen in recent months, sparking battles with tribesmen and al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP), after advancing from their stronghold in the far north and entering Sanaa in September.

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