Houthi rebels push into south Yemen

Fighters from Yemen's Houthi rebel movement are advancing into southern Yemen, clashing with forces allied to President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi.

Rebels and soldiers loyal to Mr Hadi's ousted predecessor reportedly entered the provincial capital of Dhalea and the Red Sea port of Mukha yesterday.

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Pro-Houthi troops also killed at least four people protesting in and around the third city of Taizz, medics said.

Hadi has called on the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) to intervene.

His foreign minister said on Monday that a request was made after warplanes targeted the palace in the southern port city of Aden that has been the president's base since he fled Sanaa last month.

The rebels placed Hadi under effective house arrest when they took full control of the capital in January and declared that a five-member "presidential council" would rule the country.

On Tuesday, Houthi fighters and soldiers loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh armed with artillery, anti-aircraft guns and machine-guns were battling militiamen and tribesmen loyal to Hadi in Dhalea, security officials and residents said.