Yemen fighting escalates leaving six dead

Yemen descended further towards civil war on Thursday as fighting escalated in the strategic port city of Aden and an unidentified warplane struck a compound used by the president Abd-Rabbu Hadi.

Mr Hadi, who is backed by the UN and Gulf states, fled to Aden last month, escaping from house arrest after Iran-backed Shia Houthi rebels ousted his government. An aide to Mr Hadi said he was in a "safe and secure" place, after the unidentified warplane - believed to be flown from the capital in the north, which is currently under the control of the Houthi Shia Muslim movement - was chased off by anti-aircraft fire.

The air strike followed fierce fighting earlier on Thursday around the international airport in Aden, where Mr Hadi's troops clashed with units loyal to the Houthis and former president, Ali Abdullah Saleh, who was ousted after popular protests in 2011.

General Abdel-Hafez al-Saqqaf, who leads Aden's official special forces units but is believed to be loyal to the former president, had earlier refused an order by Mr Hadi to relinquish control to another commander.

At least six people died in the clashes around the airport and at the special forces base. There were also reports of an air strike on forces loyal to the Houthis in Aden.

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The Houthis, who hail from the Zaydi Shia sect, swept into the capital Sana'a last September from their power base in the north. Sunni Gulf states have watched with alarm as the Houthi movement deepens ties with Iran. In a tussle for regional dominance, Gulf leaders say the Islamic republic - their longtime foe - is extending its influence across the Arab world.

Al-Qaeda, which operates in rural regions in central and eastern Yemen, has become more active in recent months, compounding western concerns about a breakdown of order in the impoverished state.

The Gulf states have moved diplomatic staff to Aden to give political support to Mr Hadi as he seeks to rebuild a coalition of tribes and forces to take on the Houthis and their allies, including Mr Saleh.

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