Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthi rebels reach Aden
The Houthi rebels are reported to have reached the important Yemeni port of Aden after capturing the capital Sanaa and Taiz with the aid of mutinous units of the Yemeni army. According to unconfirmed reports, ahead of the Houthi advance, Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi Wednesday fled Aden where he had taken refuge. He is said to have escaped by sea. DEBKAfile’s sources report that he may be heading for the Sinai resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to appeal for urgent aid from the Arab summit meeting there. He is unlikely to find help. The Saudis, who backed President Hadi, have indicated that their military buildup on the Yemen border was purely defensive.