Houthis Seize Much of Southern Yemen’s Aden

Backed by Tanks, Shi'ites Advance Into Key Port City

Houthi forces have seized large portions of the southern port city of Aden, Yemen’s second largest city and the former capital city of an independent South Yemen.

Aden had recently been under the control of former President Hadi, who was saying he’d retake control over the nation. He fled the city, and Yemen itself, when the battle began to go poorly.

Once little more than irregular militias with some seized arms from Yemeni military bases, the Houthis are now being backed by tanks as they advanced into the center of Aden, fighting what remnants of the Hadi allies remain.

With a Saudi invasion imminent, the Houthis seem to be acting with increasing urgency to seize any territory of serious value from rival factions, to better orchestrate the defense of the country.

Author: Jason Ditz

Jason Ditz is Senior Editor for Antiwar.com. He has 20 years of experience in foreign policy research and his work has appeared in The American Conservative, Responsible Statecraft, Forbes, Toronto Star, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Providence Journal, Washington Times, and the Detroit Free Press.