Forces loyal to Yemen’s government of President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi recaptured a southern provincial capital from Houthi rebels and their allies on Sunday as they pressed an advance from Aden.

Zinjibar, capital of Abyan province, had been held by troops of the renegade 15th Brigade which remains loyal to Ali Abdullah Saleh who is allied with the rebels.

Troops entered the coastal town, some 50 km east of Aden, after overrunning the brigade’s barracks outside with support from Saudi-led air strikes, military sources said.

Residents of Zinjibar forced out by fighting that devastated their city also returned Sunday to take stock of the damage, a relief official said.

But many, including loyalist fighters, lost their lives as they treaded on mines planted by the rebels before they withdrew from the city.

At least 19 people were killed and 163 wounded on Saturday and Sunday in Zinjibar and the surrounding area, said Aden health chief Al-Khader Laswar.

Zinjibar is the third southern provincial capital from which Houthis have been driven out.

The loyalists secured Aden in mid-July and Lahj provincial capital Huta on August 4.

The capture of Zinjibar came three days after tribal and military sources said Saudi Arabia sent tanks, armored vehicles and personnel carriers to back the loyalist forces.

Hundreds of Yemeni soldiers trained in the oil-rich kingdom were also sent to bolster Hadi’s forces, the sources said on Thursday.

The recapture of Zinjibar is expected to strengthen the position of loyalist forces as they expand their zone of control in southern Yemen and could pave the way for an attempt to pursue rebels further north.

The Saudi-led coalition has been supporting pro-government fighters with airstrikes, military training and the delivery of tanks and heavy artillery.

Gulf-backed southern Yemeni fighters who are based in Aden also made gains against the Houthis in heavy fighting in the southern province of Dalea on Saturday. Arab News