Yemeni government forces rout separatists from southern city

Yemeni security officials say forces loyal to the country's internationally recognised government have taken full control of a key southern city after overnight clashes with separatists.

The officials say the fighting over Etq, the capital of oil-rich Shabwa province, lasted until Friday morning.

They spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the matter with reporters.

Etq was previously divided between President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi's government forces and a separatist militia trained by the United Arab Emirates.

The infighting between Hadi's forces and the separatists ostensibly allies in Yemen's war against the Shiite Houthi rebels erupted earlier this month.

At the time, the separatists, known as the Southern Transitional Council, launched an offensive to take strategic southern areas, including the city of Aden and the nearby Abyan province.