1st LD: Yemeni president remains in Aden after his forces defeated in battles

Yemeni President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi remained in the southern port city of Aden Wednesday after his tribal militia forces were defeated by the Shiite Houthi group in the neighbouring Lahj province, a source at the presidential office told Xinhua.

President Hadi is still in Aden to command his forces to fight against the Houthi group, the source told Xinhua on condition of anonymity.

The Shiite Houthi fighters backed by security forces advanced in Yemen's south and took control over a strategic military air base in the southern province of Lahj early on Wednesday, a military official said.

They are advancing into Lahj's central region, about 50 km away from Aden province, where Hadi stays, the official added.

A senior Houthi member told Xinhua that the group has arrested Defense Minister Major General Mahmoud al-Subaihi in Lahj province who has been commanding most of the pro-Hadi army to battle the Houthis.

Chaos was spread in Aden city as the Houthi fighters were approaching, and all foreign missions in the city were closed and diplomatic staff were evacuated by planes. Endit