Yemen president returns to Aden

Aden — Yemen’s president returned to second city Aden on Tuesday, a day after his loyalists launched a new offensive against Iran-backed rebels. After landing in the provisional capital, Abdrabbu Mansour Hadi went straight to the palace to “supervise” the offensive aimed at retaking rebel-controlled Taiz province, a presidential source said. His return comes just days after Prime Minister Khaled Bahah announced the return of his government to Aden. Hadi declared the southern port city Yemen’s temporary capital. The president will be staying at the Maashiq presidential palace in the central Crater district of Aden. The palace was severely damaged in the fighting that gripped Aden until July but was recently repaired by the United Arab Emirates, which along with Saudi Arabia is taking a lead role in supporting Hadi’s government. The coalition sent ground troops to Yemen in early August after months of air strikes. It has deployed significant reinforcements for the advance on Taiz, Yemen’s third city, military officials have said. Taiz has seen heavy fighting in recent months between pro-government forces and the Houthi rebels and their allies. There are loyalist troops inside the city but they are besieged by the rebels. Pro-Hadi forces and their coalition allies pushed north toward Taiz overnight, capturing the village of Waziaa, southwest of the city, military sources said. Meanwhile, the governor of Yemeni Shabwah Governorate Abdullah Al-Nasi, has appreciated the brotherly stances of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its relief and humanitarian support for the Yemeni people to overcome their tragic situations as a result of the war launched by Houthis and the coup militia. He made these remarks while receiving a relief aid convoy organized by the King Salman Center for Relief and Humanitarian Work for those affected by Hurricane Chabala in a number villages at the Yemini coastal strip of Rudum District.