Yemen crisis: Pro-government forces retake airbase near Aden

London, Aug 4: Pro-government forces in Yemen have recaptured an airbase in a battle with Houthi rebels, media reported on Tuesday.

Pro-government forces recaptured the al-Anad airbase, north of Aden after intense fighting with Houthis in recent days.

The development has come after pro-government forces, backed by air strikes from a Saudi-led coalition, retook Aden in July.

The Saudi lead campaign, being sheltered by Yemen, was launched in April to push the rebels back and restore the government., BBC reported.

Al-Anad used to be a base for US troops overseeing drone attacks on al-Qaeda was overrun by Houthi rebels as they advanced south in March, forcing President Abdrabbo Mansour Hadi to flee.

"The al-Anad airbase is now back in the hands of President Hadi's men," Nasr Alkaid, a spokesman for the pro-government forces.
Houthis are yet to comment on this development.

If confirmed, the recapture of the airbase could remove a major obstacle for government forces on the road to Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city, where pro-Hadi militia have been clashing with rebels.

Pro-government troops have been helped by air cover and weapons provided by the Saudi-led coalition.

OneIndia News