Yemeni government forces have reclaimed control of the southern port city of Aden, including the presidential palace, after the city was seized by separatists earlier this month, AFP reported Wednesday (August 28th).
Forces loyal to the government of Yemeni President Abd Rabbu Mansour Hadi were able "to secure the presidential palace in Aden and the surrounding areas", Information Minister Muammar al-Eryani said in a social media post.
"The national army and security services have full control over the province's districts," he added.
Government forces entered Aden on Wednesday and recaptured the nearby province of Abyan the same day, pushing back separatists.
An AFP correspondent in the east of the city witnessed shelling by advancing government forces who came fresh from their success in taking back control of Abyan province to the east.
"Heroes of the national army and security agencies have retaken Zinjibar city, the capital of Abyan province, and complete their control over other districts of the province," al-Eryani said.
A pro-government source said fighting had erupted in the streets of the city, as loyalist troops fanned out there.
Abyan was the second southern province to be retaken by government forces in southern Yemen in days following clashes with the Security Belt Forces, a paramilitary force loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC).
Earlier in the week, government forces regained control of Shabwa province after beating back an attack by STC forces.
The new fighting comes despite repeated calls for a ceasefire by the Arab coalition.
