Forces loyal to Yemen’s internationally recognised Government have taken full control of a key southern city after overnight clashes with separatists there, Yemeni security officials said on Friday.
Clashes over Ataq, the capital of oil-rich Shabwa province erupted late Thursday night and lasted until Friday morning, said the security officials, speaking on condition of anonymity because there were not authorised to talk to the media.
The city of Ataq was previously divided between the government forces of Saudi-backed President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi and a separatist militia, trained and armed by the United Arab Emirates.