Hadi's government reclaims Aden from UAE-backed separatists forces

Yemen government forces have reclaimed control of the interim capital Aden, including the presidential palace, after the city was seized by separatists earlier this month, a minister said on Wednesday.

Forces loyal to the internationally recognised government of Yemeni President Abderabbo Mansour Hadi were able "to secure the presidential palace in Aden and the surrounding areas," Information Minister Moammer al-Eryani tweeted.

"The national army and security services have full control over the province's districts." 

Yemen government forces entered the interim capital Aden and recaptured a nearby province on Wednesday, pushing back separatists who had seized parts of the south this month.

The separatists, who seek an independent South Yemen, seized Aden on 10 August following heavy clashes with government troops. That major gain saw them press on to take other strategic areas, before being pushed back.

Abyan was the second southern province to be retaken by government forces in southern Yemen in days following clashes with the Security Belt, a paramilitary force loyal to the Southern Transitional Council (STC).

Read more: Yemen's UAE-backed southern secessionists are expelling northern refugees as they move to seize Aden

Earlier in the week, government forces regained control of Shabwa province after beating back an attack by STC forces.

The new fighting comes despite repeated calls for a ceasefire by the Saudi-led coalition backing the government against Iran-aligned Houthi rebels who captured the capital Sanaa five years ago.

The STC is demanding renewed independence for South Yemen, which was a separate country before unification in 1990.

Agencies contributed to this report.

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