ADEN // Yemen’s exiled president Abdrabu Mansur Hadi returned to Aden on Tuesday to lead the battle for Taez province, where fighting raged between pro-government forces and Houthi rebels.
Two days into an offensive launched by the coalition to liberate Taez, the Yemeni army and the resistance, supported by Saudi-led air strikes, advanced on several fronts, recapturing territory from the Iran-backed rebels and forcing them to flee.
The advances came as Mr Hadi took up residence again in the presidential palace in Aden, which was freed from the Houthis in July and has become the country’s capital while the rebels remained in control of Sanaa.
Forces from the Arab coalition and the popular resistance will coordinate efforts to retake Taez with Mr Hadi, the head of the province’s military, Sadeq Sarhan, said on Tuesday.
-----------------------
Taez: the new front line in Yemen’s war
-----------------------
Celebratory fireworks and gunshots rang out across Aden on Tuesday as residents welcomed the return of the president.
Mr Hadi fled to Saudi Arabia in March as the rebels and renegade troops loyal to Mr Hadi’s ousted predecessor, Ali Abdullah Saleh, advanced on Aden.
He returned briefly to Aden in September and his government ministers left the city last month after the hotel in which they were staying was hit by suicide bombers linked to ISIL.
Mr Hadi and other government officials flew into Aden’s international airport from Riyadh on Tuesday morning.
Security in Aden was bolstered for his arrival. Last week, special forces from the UAE arrived in Aden and were deployed to guard palaces, officials and public institutions.
An Emirati company recently finished restoring the palace, which was badly damaged during months of fighting to expel the Houthis from the city.
Officials did not say how long Mr Hadi or any of his officials would stay in Yemen. His return came two days after prime minister Khalid Bahah visited the Yemeni island of Socotra, which was badly damaged by a two cyclones this month.
The return of the government will be a boost for forces fighting in Taez.
The offensive was launched on Monday from three fronts on the border with Lahj province after Yemeni troops and fighters from the southern resistance arrived from Aden in UAE military vehicles.
On Al Wazeyah front the forces took over Al Mansourah, which includes strategic hills. More than 20 Houthis have been killed in the fighting there since Monday.
“This morning dozens of Houthis fighters surrendered to the fighters of the resistance in Al Wazeyah front, after their colleagues fled and left them,” said Moa’ath Al Yaseri, leader of the popular resistance in Taez.
On another front line near an area called Karesh, the forces advanced on Tuesday morning towards Al Raheda, where there was fierce fighting, Mr Al Yaseri said.
He said the Houthis planted landmines in all areas that were under their control and that they were slowing down the advance.
On the third front of Al Madharebah the forces recaptured several hills in Al Qabaita area, said Basem Al Zuraiqi, a Lahj provincial spokesman.
There were also fierce clashes inside Taez city, particularly around the university, which was under the control of the Houthis, Mr Al Yaseri said.
Rafat Al Adimi, 29, a resident of Taez, said his family did not sleep all night and took shelter in their basement to avoid the shelling.
“We hope that this battle finishes soon, as we cannot wait more in these conditions,” Mr Al Adimi said. “We fear that the children have a psychological trauma because of this battle.”
foreign.desk@thenational.ae