Yemen’s legitimate government forces recaptured the interim capital Aden and its presidential palace on Wednesday, announced Information Minister Moammar al-Eryani, pushing back separatists from the Southern Transitional Council who seized the city and other parts of the south earlier this month.
Forces loyal to the internationally-recognized government of Yemeni President Abedrabbo Mansour Hadi were able "to secure the presidential palace in Aden and the surrounding areas," Eryani tweeted.
"The national army and security services have full control over the province's districts."
An AFP correspondent in the east of the city witnessed shelling by advancing government forces who came fresh from their success in taking back control of Abyan province to the east on Wednesday.
A pro-government source told AFP that fighting had erupted in the streets of Aden as loyalist troops fanned out there.
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 STC.
Earlier in the week, government forces also regained control of Shabwa province after beating back an attack by STC forces.
The Yemeni interior ministry issued a statement urging the separatists to "lay down their arms" and surrender.
