Yemen: Anti-Houthi forces pull back as rebels advance

The Southern Armed Forces group allied with Yemen's UN-recognized government and backed by Saudi Arabia said Sunday they had repositioned themselves away from the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Why are troops moving away from Bab el-Mandeb? The Southern Armed Forces said the repositioning is intended to secure the southern city of Aden, "and the neighboring governorates, as well as strengthening the frontlines and addressing existing threats." Aden, which has a population of over a million people, is the interim seat of the Yemeni government, formally known as the Presidential Leadership Council (PLC). The Southern Armed Forces also intend to end the Houthi siege over the strategic southwestern city of Taiz. Nearly two million people live in Taiz, Yemen's third-largest city. The siege is raising fears of famine for residents, as well as a possible medical crisis as hospitals face restricted supplies.      Can Yemen's government turn the tide against the Houthis?To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Houthis advancing towards Aden The Houthis control much of northwest Yemen, including the capital Sanaa. The rebels are a Shiite militant group backed by Iran. The US, Canada and several other countries regard them as a terror organization. The Houthis in September launched a rapid offensive against the PLC, seizing much of the coastline along the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, which connects the Red Sea to the Gulf of Aden and the Indian Ocean. It is also a key corridor for maritime trade and energy shipments. The Houthis have taken control of the major port town of Mocha in September, firming their grip over the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The latest redeployment of the Southern Armed Forces is likely to give the rebels even more control over the strategic area. Sources told AFP news agency that Houthi forces are now just 60 kilometers (less than 40 miles) from Aden. The conflict between the Yemeni government and the Houthis has lasted for over 10 years. The fighting in Yemen, the poorest country in the Arab world, has been fueled by the wider rivalry between Iran and Saudi Arabia. More fighting between Yemen's Houthis, Saudi ArabiaTo view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video In recent weeks, the Houthis have been launching frequent attacks on Saudi Arabia. On Sunday, the rebels claimed that they targeted the King Khalid International Airport and financial district of the Saudi capital, Riyadh. Saudi Arabia has not confirmed the alleged Houthi attack.