Ansarullah Rebels Progress into Aden, Hadi’s Fate Unknown
Local Editor
Ansarullah forces backed by allied army units seized al-Anad air base about 60 km north of Aden on Wednesday from militants loyal to President Abed Rabbou Mansour Hadi, local residents said.
The Houthis and their military allies later advanced to within 40 km of the southern port city, where Hadi has been hold up since fleeing the capital Sanaa last month.
The fighting suggests the Houthis are making steady progress in a push south towards Aden.
Al-Anad is believed to house an intelligence that is normally manned in part by US personnel.
But the United States last week evacuated its remaining personnel from Yemen, including about 100 special operations forces, because of deteriorating security.
The last major US military contingent in Yemen had been stationed at al-Anad.
Meanwhile, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and Kuwait have made their diplomatic missions and leave Aden.
According to some sources, Hadi has fled Adan towards Djibouti after the rebel forces arrested his brother.
Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia has moved heavy military equipment to areas near its border with Yemen, US officials say.
US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said on Wednesday that Saudi Arabia has engaged in deploying military equipment, including artillery, to the troubled region.
Latest media reports say Washington has acquired intelligence about the Saudi buildup. One US government source has described the size of the Saudi buildup on Yemen's border as "significant."
The developments come as Saudi Defense Minister Prince Mohammed bin Salman al -Saud has reportedly been ordered to erect a military base immediately along the border.
The source says the Saudis could be preparing air raids to defend resigned former president Hadi if Ansarullah rebels known as Houthis advanced into the southern seaport of Aden.
On February 21, Hadi fled to Aden and withdrew his resignation triggering a political turmoil in the Arab country. He is now trying to seize back power with the help of the West and neighboring Saudi Arabia.
The move comes as Yemen's Houthi rebels have been fighting al-Qaeda and other terrorist groups in the crisis-hit country.
Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team
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