Yemen’s president return to Aden

Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi attends a press conference in Khartoum, Sudan. (Xinhua/Mohammed Babiker)

Yemen’s president Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi has returned to the southern city of Aden after six months in exile, his office says.

A government source told the Reuters news agency Hadi would spend the festival of Eid al-Adha in Aden before flying to New York to address the UN.

He fled Aden in late March as Houthi rebels advanced on the city, triggering air strikes by a Saudi-led coalition.

In July, pro-government militiamen and soldiers drove the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of Aden with the help of coalition ground forces.

However, residents have complained that Aden has descended into chaos and lawlessness, with jihadist militants affiliated to al-Qaeda and Islamic State seen on the city’s streets, and that the local authorities have been slow to restore services.

Security around Aden’s airport was increased ahead of the president’s return, with armored vehicles reportedly surrounding the facility and checkpoints put in place.

“The return of his excellency the president to Aden comes after an absence that has lasted for six months amid the brutal aggression which has been carried out by the militias loyal to the Houthis and Saleh on the city of Aden,” the Associated Press quoted a statement by Hadi’s office as saying.

The president was expected to meet members of the cabinet, local officials and military and security leaders in the coming days.

Last week, Prime Minister Khaled Bahah returned to Aden with seven ministers to take up residence, and acknowledged the government faced major challenges.

The UN says almost 4,900 people, including more than 2,200 civilians, have been killed in fighting on the ground and air strikes since 26 March.