Yemeni troops, backed by Saudi-led airstrikes, battle Shiite rebels in port city of Aden

Firefighters work to extinguish fire following rocket attacks by Shiite rebels known as Houthis at storage tanks of an oil refinery in the port city of Aden, Yemen, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Yemeni forces battling the Shiite rebels in the country's south said they took control on Tuesday of the airport in the strategic port city of Aden, driving the rebels there into the part of the city jutting out into the sea. (AP Photo/Abo Muhammed) (The Associated Press)

prev next

Fighters against Shiite rebels known as Houthis gather in front of the airport in the port city of Aden, Yemen, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Yemeni forces battling the Shiite rebels in the country's south said they took control on Tuesday of the airport in the strategic port city of Aden, driving the rebels there into a part of the city jutting out into the sea. (AP Photo/Abo Muhammed) (The Associated Press)

People watch fighters against Shiite rebels as they ride military vehicles on a street in the port city of Aden, Yemen, Tuesday, July 14, 2015. Yemeni forces battling the Shiite rebel known as Houthis in the country's south said they took control on Tuesday of the airport in the strategic port city of Aden, driving the rebels there into a part of the city jutting out into the sea. (AP Photo/Abo Muhammed) (The Associated Press)

Yemeni officials say troops, backed by Saudi-led coalition airstrikes, are battling Shiite rebels in neighborhoods they previously controlled in the southern port city of Aden, a day after they pushed them out of the local airport.

A military official said fighting intensified Wednesday in Crater and Mualla, neighborhoods that house the presidential palace, government offices and ports. The official said the rebels are putting up a fight at the presidential palace in Crater. He said an airstrike hit a government building used by the rebels as a base.

The official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations. He said the anti-rebel offensive was coordinated with the Saudi-led coalition.

Rebels and allied forces tried to take the city in March, setting off fierce battles with local forces.

https://www.foxnews.com/world/yemeni-troops-backed-by-saudi-led-airstrikes-battle-shiite-rebels-in-port-city-of-aden