10/06/2015

Yemen conflict: Hotel used by PM Badah hit in Aden.

Qasr Hotel, Aden, 6 October 2015    A hotel in Aden housing Yemen's prime minister and his cabinet has been hit by a rocket attack, residents say.
There are reports of casualties, though not among ministers staying there.
The Qasr hotel has been used a seat of government since a Saudi-led coalition forced Houthi rebels from Aden, Yemen's second city.
The Houthi rebels advanced on the city and in March forced President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi and the government to flee to Saudi Arabia.
In July, pro-government militiamen and soldiers drove the Houthis and allied army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh out of the port city with the help of coalition ground forces.
Mr Hadi returned to Aden from exile late last month, though he was not reported to be staying at the Hotel Qasr when it was attacked early on Tuesday.
Residents have complained that the city has descended into chaos and lawlessness, with jihadist militants affiliated to al-Qaeda and Islamic State seen on the streets.
The UN says almost 4,900 people have been killed in the past six months of fighting in Yemen, including 2,200 civilians.

Why is there fighting in Yemen?

  • Northern Shia Muslim rebels known as Houthis, backed by forces loyal to Yemen's ex-president, took over parts of Yemen, including the capital, Sanaa, and forced the government into exile in March
  • The rebels accused the government of corruption and of planning to marginalise their heartland within a proposed federal system
  • Forces loyal to the government and Southern militias regained control of Aden in July, aided by Saudi-led coalition air strikes and troops.

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