Yemen officials say rebels have pushed pro-government troops out of southern Bayda province

SANAA, Yemen – Security and medical officials say Yemen's Shiite Houthi rebels have driven pro-government troops out of the southern Bayda province, after two months of heavy clashes that killed 550 fighters from both sides.

The officials say the Houthis recaptured a key military base in the town of Mukayris and pushed pro-government troops back to Abyan province further south on Friday. Of the 300 pro-government fighters killed, 30 were mistakenly targeted by airstrikes from the Saudi-led coalition backing the government, they added.

Yemen's fighting pits the Houthis, who are allied with army units loyal to a former president, against the coalition-backed, internationally recognized government.

The officials remain neutral in the conflict, which has splintered Yemen's armed forces. They spoke on condition of anonymity because they are not authorized to brief reporters.