MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Several airstrikes have hit the compound of Yemeni President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi in the southern Yemen city of Aden, Middle East Eye said Thursday citing witnesses.
"Military aircraft <…> have struck several districts of Aden, including the republican palace, where President Abd Rabbuh Mansour Hadi resides," the source told Sputnik.
BREAKING: Witnesses in Aden say air strikes have struck the presidential compound where President Hadi resides #Yemen
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 19, 2015
The local media reported that President Hadi was evacuated after the airstrikes but did not leave the country.
Earlier on Thursday Middle East Eye reported citing witnesses that presidential compound in Aden was hit from air.
According to CBC News, locals heard several explosions and saw smoke rising at the presidential compound in Aden.
"Smoke rising after explosions heard at presidential compound in #Yemen: witnesses. Gov't forces earlier claimed takeover of rebel base," CBC News posted on Twitter.
Conflicting accounts of whether fighter jets bombed presidential palace in Aden. Yemen spokesman in DC @Yemen411 now confirming bomb dropped
— Middle East Eye (@MiddleEastEye) March 19, 2015
Earlier on Thursday, Al Arabiya News Channel reported that clashes between the supporters of the toppled Yemen president and the country's current leader have intensified near Aden International Airport.
In late February, however, Hadi escaped house arrest, fled to Aden and withdrew his resignation.
President Hadi says he escaped four assassination attempts in the past few days. #Aden #Yemen
— Yemen Updates (@yemen_updates) March 19, 2015