Hadi returns to Yemen to oversee critical Taiz battle

Yemeni President Abd Rabbo Mansour Hadi returned to the southern city of Aden on Tuesday as government forces continued with the offensive to liberate Taiz from Al Houthi control.

The UAE daily Gulf News quoted officials in the president's office as saying Hadi returned to oversee the campaign directly. He went straight to the presidential office and met with military officials to assess the security situation and oversee the merging of resistance forces into the army. His return comes just days after Prime Minister Khalid Bahah announced the return of his government to Yemen.

Observers say the timing aims to boost troop morale at this critical juncture.

"The president's arrival expresses his confidence that Al Houthis will be defeated and legitimacy will return to Yemen," said Seif Al Jahafi, a political figure and analyst based in Aden in a telephone interview with Gulf News. He said Hadi's return will help boost the campaign to liberate Taiz.

"People have been calling for a long time for the president's return," said Fadel Al Rubei, head of Al Madar Centre for Strategic Studies in Aden.

His return is a huge moral support to Yemeni forces and Taiz resistance fighters in their battle for the city," Al Rubei told Gulf News. He said being in Aden Hadi will be able to better command the army.

Source: WAM