Yemeni government forces clashed with separatists in the southern port city of Aden on Sunday in fighting that left at least eight people dead.
The country’s internationally recognized government considered the separatists’ assault an attempted “coup” backed by onetime ally the United Arab Emirates.
Authorities shut down the country’s main airport, fearing wider unrest and an Associated Press journalist heard heavy gunfire in the Khor Maksar, Crater, and Mansoura districts, as thick black smoke rose in the sky after an airstrike.
The fighting spread to other districts, including areas near the presidential palace. Witnesses say that armed men stormed government offices and riddled the pictures of president’s with bullets.