Troops loyal to Yemeni president thwart Houthi rebels

Sanaa, March 23 (IANS/EFE) Security forces and tribal militias loyal to Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi repelled an attack on Monday by Shia Houthi rebels in the southern part of the country.

Clashes erupted between the two sides in the Lahij province when the Houthis tried to enter the province and move towards the city of Aden, an official source told Efe.

Hadi fled to Aden on February 21 after the Houthis seized power in the north, following which, he tried to strengthen the security troops loyal to him.

Houthi combatants and armoured cars were mobilised from the city of Taiz, which the rebels seized as part of their offensive to take control of the greater south.

The Houthi advance, according to the source, was hindered when it was met in the al-Sabiha district by units of the fourth army zone, which supports Hadi.

The source indicated that the Houthis suffered several ambushes launched by tribal militants in the area, causing an unknown number of casualties in the ranks of the Shia group.

At least four vehicles in the Houthi convoy were destroyed in the clashes, according to local residents.

Yemen has been mired in deep political conflict since the Houthis seized power in early February, which worsened after the Yemeni president fled to the southern city of Aden, withdrawing a previously submitted resignation.

Last week, a terrorist attack in the capital Sanaa and in the Sadaa province killed at least 137 people and left over 300 wounded, which was further proof of the deteriorating security situation in the country.

--IANS/EFE

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