LBCI

REPORT: Yemeni leader Hadi leaves country as Saudi Arabia keeps up air strikes on Houthi rebels

News Bulletin Reports

26-03-2015 | 14:16

Share

Share

REPORT: Yemeni leader Hadi leaves country as Saudi Arabia keeps up air strikes on Houthi rebels

3^min

Yemen's President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi left his refuge in Aden under Saudi protection on Thursday and arrived in Saudi Arabia as Houthi rebels battled with forces still loyal to him on the outskirts of the southern port city.

Throughout the day, warplanes from Saudi Arabia and Arab allies struck at Houthi forces, who have taken over much of the country in their campaign to oust Hadi.

The Saudi-led military intervention marked a major escalation of the Yemen crisis, in which Iran supports the Shi'ite Muslim Houthis, and Sunni Muslim monarchies in the Gulf back Hadi and his fellow Sunni loyalists in Yemen's south.

Iran denounced the surprise assault on the Houthis and demanded an immediate halt to Saudi-led military operations.

Tehran also made clear Saudi Arabia's deployment of a Sunni coalition against its Shi'ite enemies would complicate efforts to end a conflict that will only inflame the sectarian hatreds already fueling wars around the Middle East.

But Hadi's departure from Aden, where he had holed up since fleeing the Houthi-controled capital Sanaa in February, could also be a turning point.

Saudi state television channel Al Ekhbariya said Hadi had arrived in the Saudi capital Riyadh on Thursday. Saudi-owned al Arabiya television said he would go onto the Eyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh to attend an Arab summit on Saturday.

Mohammed Marem, the director of Hadi's office, confirmed he would attend the Sharm meeting in person, dropping his original plan to address other Arab leaders via a closed-circuit television link.

"In light of the events and developments that have happened since dawn, he has decided to attend the summit and participate in person," Marem told Reuters.

But it was not certain if Hadi would be able to return to Aden.

On the city's northern outskirts, Houthis and allied troops fought gun battles with militiamen loyal to Hadi. Thirteen pro-Houthi fighters and three militiamen were killed.

Pro-Hadi fighters retook Aden airport, a day after it was captured by Houthi forces advancing on the city. The facility remained closed.

REUTERS

To watch Rita Khoury's report, please click on the VIDEO above

News Bulletin Reports

Yemeni

leader

leaves

country

Saudi

Arabia

keeps

strikes

Houthi

rebels

Next

Details emerge: Israel strikes building in Beirut's southern suburbs, marking second attack in days

Recommended For You

Shift in strategy: Israeli Chief of Staff eyes timeline to conclude Gaza war amid mounting casualties

News Bulletin Reports

13:05

Shift in strategy: Israeli Chief of Staff eyes timeline to conclude Gaza war amid mounting casualties

Prison break in Ghazir: Inmates breach wall, flee under cover of night

News Bulletin Reports

12:48

Prison break in Ghazir: Inmates breach wall, flee under cover of night

Lebanon’s culinary charm and hospitality: Restaurant sector gears up to serve a vibrant 2025 summer season

News Bulletin Reports

2025-06-07

Lebanon’s culinary charm and hospitality: Restaurant sector gears up to serve a vibrant 2025 summer season

Two votes, one concern: Push for extra preferential vote sparks concern among Lebanon’s Christian parties

News Bulletin Reports

2025-06-07

Two votes, one concern: Push for extra preferential vote sparks concern among Lebanon’s Christian parties

Subscribe to our VOD

SUBSCRIBE

Our visitors readings

Lebanese Army inspects site in Laylaki amid allegations of military activity

12:39

Lebanese Army inspects site in Laylaki amid allegations of military activity

Israel orders military to stop Gaza-bound yacht carrying Greta Thunberg

Israel-Gaza War Updates

09:53

Israel orders military to stop Gaza-bound yacht carrying Greta Thunberg

In Lebanon, IMF sees ‘some progress’ on reforms but urges more external support

2025-06-05

In Lebanon, IMF sees ‘some progress’ on reforms but urges more external support

Erdogan proposes new Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting in Turkey

Middle East News

2025-06-02

Erdogan proposes new Putin-Zelensky-Trump meeting in Turkey

Videos

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

2025-06-04

Mexico dedicates garden around Lebanese Emigrant Statue in Beirut to mark 80 years of diplomatic ties

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

2025-05-19

President Aoun to seek Egyptian support for Lebanese Army in detecting explosives and tunnels

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

2025-05-15

LBCI Exclusive: US steps up pressure on Hezbollah, Morgan Ortagus details sanctions and vision for Lebanon's future

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

2025-05-11

Kuwait rolls out official welcome for Lebanon's President Aoun – video

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

2025-05-11

Security incidents temporarily disrupt voting in several Akkar and Minieh-Danniyeh centers

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

News Bulletin Reports

2025-05-09

EU ambassador says 'we are not just donors, but genuine partners to Lebanon': Insights from exclusive LBCI interview

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

2025-04-23

US envoy Morgan Ortagus hails Lebanese diaspora, says country stands at a crossroads

Morgan Ortagus urges Lebanon to pass banking reforms to restore financial trust

2025-04-08

Morgan Ortagus urges Lebanon to pass banking reforms to restore financial trust

LBCI Exclusive: US envoy Morgan Ortagus reveals US vision for Lebanon’s stability and disarmament – full interview transcript

2025-04-06

LBCI Exclusive: US envoy Morgan Ortagus reveals US vision for Lebanon’s stability and disarmament – full interview transcript

Most read

24 hours

7 days

Month

Israel Hayom cites sources: Israel, US reportedly agree to end UNIFIL mission in South Lebanon

1

Israel Hayom cites sources: Israel, US reportedly agree to end UNIFIL mission in South Lebanon

Military source to LBCI: Lebanese Army concludes search in Mrayjeh with no findings

2

Military source to LBCI: Lebanese Army concludes search in Mrayjeh with no findings

Israeli strike targets vehicle on Kfar Dounine–Chehabiyeh road in South Lebanon

3

Israeli strike targets vehicle on Kfar Dounine–Chehabiyeh road in South Lebanon

Shift in strategy: Israeli Chief of Staff eyes timeline to conclude Gaza war amid mounting casualties

4

Shift in strategy: Israeli Chief of Staff eyes timeline to conclude Gaza war amid mounting casualties

Israel orders military to stop Gaza-bound yacht carrying Greta Thunberg

5

Israel orders military to stop Gaza-bound yacht carrying Greta Thunberg

Prison break in Ghazir: Inmates breach wall, flee under cover of night

6

Prison break in Ghazir: Inmates breach wall, flee under cover of night

Lebanese Army inspects site in Laylaki amid allegations of military activity

7

Lebanese Army inspects site in Laylaki amid allegations of military activity

Powerful 6.3 magnitude quake shakes Bogota: AFP

8

Powerful 6.3 magnitude quake shakes Bogota: AFP

Download now the LBCI mobile app

To see the latest news, the latest daily programs in Lebanon and the world

Google Play

App Store

Download now the LBCI mobile app

We use
cookies

We use cookies to make
your experience on this
website better.

Accept

Learn More